E-commerce companies in India (like Amazon and Flipkart) are hiring a record number of temporary workers (gig workers) to handle the festive shopping rush. With an emphasis on inclusivity by onboarding more women and workers with disabilities, these companies are creating half a million temporary jobs, driven by expectations of robust demand following a stagnant summer.
Why is it important?
Seasonal hiring has hit a three-year high – meaning more jobs are being created this year than in the last 3 festive seasons.
Around 5 lakh (500,000) temporary jobs are being created in total.
Amazon’s role:
Amazon India is hiring 35–40% more gig workers than last year.
Flipkart’s role:
Flipkart has created double the jobs compared to 2024.
Why so much hiring now?
Expanding reach: E-commerce platforms want to serve customers not only in big cities but also in smaller towns and cities.
Festival demand: After a slow summer season, companies expect a big sales boom during festivals, so they need extra workers to handle the rush.