by Kaivan Shah
Unemployment is a menace that is grasping the Indian workforce today. According to a recent report by the Labour Bureau Statistics, India has the largest number of unemployed workforce in the world today. It is indeed a major challenge for the development of our nation. However, while jobs may not be in abundance, freelance opportunities are on the rise in this growing economy. Crowdworking, which is the concept of creating a marketplace for freelancers and gig-employers, is not only making up for the lack of employment opportunities in the country, but also allowing Indian job seekers to overcome other barriers that may have been holding them back from working until now.
Better Fit for Startups and Smaller Organizations
Most people get stuck on finding a job at a corporate that suits their interest and skills. The startups and smaller organizations dont often hire full-time employees with a niche skill set as it is not cost-effective for them. To get their work done, they are increasingly hiring more and more freelancers on-board. As a result, people who earlier faced difficulty finding a full-time job in their domains are now finding quality freelance work from across the globe.
Ideal for People not from Metro Cities
Many people, especially those not living in a metropolitan city, can find it tough getting a job in their cities, especially if they are looking for something different. Relocating is definitely an option, but not a viable one for many because of family and personal obligations. Crowdworking has opened new avenues for such people. They can now work on projects from around the globe, without having to move out.
Many youngsters are especially choosing to be in the freelance workforce today. This helps companies around the globe too, as they can tap the kind of talent today that otherwise wouldnt be available to them in the regular workforce. In fact, once these freelancers gain the trust of their employers, many receive offers for multiple projects and make a lucrative income for themselves over time.
A Convenient Option for Women
A lot of people, especially women, find it difficult to go for a 9-to-5 job because of various reasons. One of them certainly is taking care of their family and aligning their schedule according to their childrens. Freelance work allows them to work from the comfort of their homes in the time that is convenient for them. They get to choose from thousands of projects online from both Indian and global businesses that gives them the much-needed experience and expertise to take their career forward.
Many women take a career break for their family commitments. Many a times, this break leads them to permanent unemployment. While companies are coming forward to hire people irrespective of the gap and other such factors, the reality is that it is still difficult for people to find a suitable job afterwards. In such a scenario, crowdworking comes as a boon and helps people get back in the field.
Crowdworking websites are an excellent way of connecting the jobseekers to their potential employer; it benefits both equally. While startups and businesses want to get resources on board as per their current requirements and ongoing projects, individuals who find it difficult to pursue a full-time job have various employment opportunities to choose from as per their interest and convenience. The growing freelance economy in India is a testament to this, and it is only going to further grow in scope in the coming times.
Kaivan Shah is Co-Founder of Fixpocket, an upcoming crowdworking platform HQed in Ahmedabad.