As the festive season approaches, the e-commerce industry in India is gearing up to meet the skyrocketing consumer demands, leading to the creation of approximately 7 lakh gig jobs in the second half of 2023. A recent report by TeamLease, a human resource company, highlighted the surge in shopping activity during the annual shopping frenzy as the primary driver behind this employment boost.
According to the report, the e-commerce sector currently has around 2 lakh open positions for temporary workers, mainly in the last mile delivery space and warehouse operations. The demand is particularly high in Tier 2 and 3 cities compared to Tier 1 cities when compared to the previous year.
Balasubramanian A, Vice President and Business Head of TeamLease Services, expressed his positive outlook for the gig economy, stating that over the last five years, there has been a remarkable 20% year-on-year increase in the demand for gig workers. He projected that this upward trend is expected to continue for the next 2-3 years, especially in the thriving e-commerce category. By December, the e-commerce sector alone is estimated to have around 7 lakh open positions.
The report emphasized that the growth in employment opportunities reflects companies' efforts to ensure the best customer experience during the festive period. Balasubramanian A also highlighted the advantages of hiring gig workers, including optimizing spending, enhancing scalability, and embracing agility, empowering the Indian workforce to earn on their own terms with flexibility and comfort.
Interestingly, the report revealed a remarkable growth of 69% in gig workers earning more than Rs 1,50,000 and a significant 62% increase in gig workers earning between Rs 85,000-150,000. However, it also pointed out the lower-income bracket, with a 26% increase in workers earning less than Rs 20,000 and a 20% increase in those earning between Rs 20,000-40,000.
While the e-commerce sector seeks highly skilled and adaptable gig workers and temporary employees, other industries such as retail and logistics are also ramping up their recruitment efforts to meet the seasonal demands.
Overall, India's gig workforce is expected to reach 2.35 crore by 2029-30, indicating a growing demand for this talent pool. With the festive season hiring already underway, the e-commerce industry is set to play a vital role in boosting employment opportunities and fostering economic growth in the country.