Mixed summer for hiring: Gig jobs rise as permanent roles stay elusive
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Recruitment companies are bracing for a subdued hiring season during the summer months, which typically mark the second-largest hiring period after the festive season in India. While mandates are coming in from e-commerce and logistics players, banking, consumer durables, and electronics companies with physical stores are largely limiting hiring to replacements.
“The mood is sombre. There has been no change in the Budget that would lead to more money in the hands of consumers, which directly impacts consumption patterns. However, online platforms are expected to perform marginally better than last year," said Aditya Narayan Mishra, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of talent solutions firm CIEL HR.
In India, the festive season—typically from September to December—is considered the peak hiring period, as companies across industries push product sales amid gifting and the coinciding wedding season. This is followed by a lull, with recruitment picking up again in February and March, as companies stock up on air-conditioners, refrigerators, coolers, and beverages ahead of the April–June summer season. Companies usually hire gig and temporary workers who can stay on through the summer months.
Last year, hiring in the consumer, banking, and logistics sectors rose 15–20% in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This year, however, could be a mixed bag, with online sales gaining momentum while store footfalls remain uneven. Interestingly, the focus is once again on tier-2 and 3 cities to drive demand.
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