Blue-collar job openings saw an uptick in sectors like ecommerce and logistics, according to HR consultancies which expect a further spike to come about as companies prepare to cater to the festive season demand. The vacant positions are mostly across roles in warehouse management, packaging, sorting, security and delivery, among others.
Staffing firm Teamlease said it witnessed a 12-15% growth in job openings for delivery executives in May compared to April, which has further increased by 18-20% in June. The rise in demand is specific to essential services and industries that have opened up after three months of the country being under a strict lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19.
“There has been an increase in hiring among e-grocers, delivery and logistics players due to rising demand for these services, which is a very positive signal,” Sudeep Sen, Business Head – Industrial Manufacturing and Engineering & General Staffing at TeamLease Services, told ET. A key reason for the surge in demand for delivery staff is the lack of access to malls and restaurants, he said.
This comes at a time when internet companies including Amazon, Grofers, Big Basket and DealShare have already hired thousands of blue-collar and gig workers in the past month.
ET reported on July 3 that some of these companies were offering workers three-times their previous salaries and an additional 15% incentive compared to levels before the pandemic. They were also being handed out flight tickets and were being virtually onboarded, experts tracking the space said.
Festive season hirings have also begun, Sen said. “We will see more workforce, which is otherwise yet to come to the metros, finally moving from nearby districts to the metro cities and engage in employment.”
According to HR firm Olx People, hiring for blue-collar and entry-level workers is expected to increase in the third quarter of the ongoing fiscal, ahead of the festive season. The demand is likely to be led by ecommerce and ITeS.
Job security and health benefits will determine acceptance of offers in the post-Covid-19 era and 50% employers are considering including health and social security benefits for blue-collar and entry-level workers, the HR firm said.
Blue-collar job, which saw a dip in April, recorded a 108% jump in applications and 36% growth in availability in May compared to April, according to a report by job portal QuikrJobs.
The survey, which analysed job listings by recruiters and applications by jobseekers on its platform, also witnessed a 48% increase in the overall rate of applications per job. Roles in blue- and white-collar jobs that saw an increase in demand from jobseekers include data entry or backoffice profiles, delivery executives, drivers, teachers, marketing and sales executives.
(This story is the first of a series of articles in association with Facebook.Facebook has no editorial role in this story.)
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