India’s flexible staffing industry grew by 21.5% in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago, dodging fears of the Omicron variant, according to a report by the Indian Staffing Federation.

Flexible staffing, or flexi-staffing, refers to temporary hiring of workers for a fixed period or until the completion of a project

The top hiring sectors in the third quarter included IT and ITeS (IT enabled services), e-commerce, retail, logistics, and hospitals.

The ISF staffing members’ net headcount grew at 21.5% over the year, indicating the consistent demand in employment across sectors notwithstanding the third pandemic wave.

According to the ISF, members provided employment to 40,000 fresh jobseekers quarter on quarter while providing formal employment to 211,000 fresh jobseekers over the year.

Lohit Bhatia, President, Indian Staffing Federation, told the Press Trust of India, “ISF member companies today represent 1.19 million flexi staffing workforce in India.”

Suchita Dutta, Executive Director, Indian Staffing Federation said, "Continuing with a consistent 21-23% year-on-year growth for staffing industry is by far the best year witnessed, even compared to pre-pandemic."

Over the years, from the pre-pandemic era to the dynamic current period, the Indian flexi staffing sector has been the largest employment mobilisers in India, the ISF added.

“The social security and employment protection from staffing companies provide impetus to formal employment growth, impacting greater protection for companies as well as workers across industries,” the ISF stated.

ISF is the apex body representing staffing companies in India.