The Temporary Staffing Model Beats Gig Employment Hollow

The contrast is clear: formal temp recruitment serves workers, employers and the government better

- Suchita Dutta is executive director, Indian Staffing Federation (ISF)

India's workforce is undergoing a transformation. By 2025, the gig economy is projected to include over 12 million workers, while the temporary (or temp) staffing industry is expected to grow at a compounded 13.2% annually, as the nation witnesses a seismic shift in employment patterns. The gig economy—think of app-based drivers and delivery agents—offers flexibility but often leaves workers without security or growth opportunities.

In contrast, temp staffing, facilitated by organized agencies, provides a regulated and sustainable alternative that benefits workers, businesses and the government. Not only does it deliver benefits to workers, it eases corporate operations and ensures compliance with government regulations.

Stability over precarity: Gig workers, often classified as 'independent contractors,' earn a median of ₹15,000-₹20,000 a month but face unpredictable income flows due to demand fluctuations and platform policies. Surveys have revealed that 85% of gig workers lack savings and 90% have no access to social security.