Temp Agencies in New York Booming as Businesses Regroup

For the growing ranks of unemployed, the reorganization of companies formerly located in the World Trade Center could provide some relief.

Indeed, the need for temporary workers in the city increases as companies located amid the rubble begin to set up shop again, according to managers at temp agencies throughout Manhattan. Companies affected by the bombing have contacted temp agencies seeking a wide range of personnel -- everything from broker assistants to accountants to data-entry clerks.

After scrambling for new office space, these companies now need to get their businesses back in order. First priority will be rebuilding key profit centers, notably their investment banking divisions, says Irene Dajka, a branch manager of Talent Tree. Several of its clients had offices in the World Trade Center, including Oppenheimer, Merrill Lynch, Nomura Securities, Lehman Brothers and American Express. "That's their cash cow," she says. "This will require the work of broker assistants, analysts, administrative and IT staff." ...