Before the pandemic, Richa and her family lived on what her husband earned. However, things became difficult financially after 2020. Richa, a watchwoman, begins her work at 8 in the morning. It’s been over a year in the job and she’s both happy and proud contributing to her family’s monthly income.
For Richa, and other women like her, flexidus is a term they don’t identify with. Flexidus refers to women quitting in the absence of flexibility at the workplace. While flexidus could be a white collar jobs phenomenon, flexibility for the blue-collar female worker would simply mean the opportunity to work and to be financially independent.
As per a report by Indian Staffing Federation on the flexi staffing industry, there has been a 6 per cent jump in the female workforce since the pandemic began. The sectors where women have been finding employment are IT, hospitality, entertainment, education, banking, insurance and manpower.
Suchita Dutta, Executive Director, Indian Staffing Federation says, “The Govt is continuously introducing pragmatic laws to support and bring women into formal employment. It is also companies who have to create more opportunities for women. The increase in formal employment will happen not just by following laws but also by creating more balance to enhance their contribution.”
“Almost 65 per cent workforce in the staffing industry are women, making it one of the top sectors employing women and attracting women back into workforce,” Dutta adds.
