Demand for technically skilled gig workers in India has gone up as a direct result of large businesses looking to optimise their future through a digital presence and lower fixed costs with reduction of full-time employees, reports The Times of India citing data from staffing firm TeamLease Services. According to TeamLease, demand for technical gig workers increased by 20%-25% between April-November this year compared to pre-Covid levels. The firm’s business head Sudeep Kumar Sen said this trend has also created an opportunity for women gig workers. “We have seen an increase of 13%-14% of women in the white-collar gig worker segments.” Upskilling of gig workers has also increased. Online digital technology training provider SimpliLearn has hired 2.5 times more trainers this year. Founder & CEO Krishna Kumar said, “Frequency of weekend classes has gone up from 3-4 to 7-8. Job offers have also increased from 2-3 jobs per candidate to 5-6 now.” Payments and data company Zaggle has hired over a dozen gig workers who are engaged in remote working. Its founder and chairman Raj N said it has saved 25% in employee cost by engaging with freelancers.