The idea of creating a remote workforce has long been contemplated upon by organizations globally. Most companies saw it as an essential part of their Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and took appropriate measures to introduce the concept into their business culture. And what a masterstroke it is now proving to be.
Organizations that transitioned swiftly and successfully to the remote hiring model found themselves in a much better position to deliver during the Covid-19 pandemic than those who decided to stick with the traditional hiring model. It is especially true of companies that hired remote workers from countries like India, renowned for providing authentic services at substantially lower costs.
Hiring a remote worker from India has never been easier. ‘Remote working’ has emerged as a popular trend with Indian professionals as it provides them with increased flexibility and a better work-life balance.
But that is not the point of contention. The topic of our discussion is, what makes India an ideal place to hire a remote team? And that is what we will try and answer through this post.
What makes India an Ideal Place to Hire a Remote Team?
There is plenty of rationale behind the phenomenon. We present the 8 most significant reasons that make India ideal for hiring remote employees. Let’s look at each of them in detail.
1. The Booming Indian IT Sector
The Indian IT sector has been on the rise for the past two decades. According to a rough estimate, there are more than 5 million Python and Java developers, 1.5 million Android developers, 875,000 iOS developers, and 200,000 professionals with expertise in Robotic Engineering, AI, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics. It is this exceptional talent that makes Indians the most sought-after IT professionals worldwide.
2. High Literacy Rate
India is no longer a country of snake charmers. The literacy rate is on the rise, and educational institutions are highly competitive and second to none. You might be surprised to know that India is the world’s second-largest English-speaking country, behind only the US. As English is the universal business language, India automatically becomes a preferred hiring destination for global organizations.
3. Young Employable Talent
Several leading nations globally are today facing a severe workforce challenge because of a rapidly aging population. In contrast, India offers young and highly skilled employable talent. According to the India Skills Report 2021, 40% of India’s employable population is 18-21 years old. This pool of young talent enables global organizations to plug in the rapidly growing skill gap created by the retiring workforce.
4. Surplus Talent Because of Rising Unemployment
India is, undoubtedly, one of the fastest-growing global economies. Unfortunately, it also has the fastest-growing population in the world. The number of new jobs created every year seems like a drop of water in a desert full of skilled professionals, resulting in high unemployment rates. Add to this the loss of jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic, and you have a surplus of employable talent. It is this overabundance of talent that is readily available for organizations to hire.
5. Cost-Effectiveness
Hiring a remote team, especially in India, is highly cost-effective. Not only do companies save on the usual overheads, but also salaries. Although the payout structures are undergoing a significant change in recent times, the fact remains that hiring an employee from India is still cheaper, whether on a per-hour or monthly basis.
6. Improved Infrastructure
Over the last 8-10 years, India has become a major hub for startups. The Government of India has encouraged global corporations to set up shop in India through its various initiatives. It has fostered the growth of a digital economy by improving digital literacy, strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, and shifting the focus to delivering services digitally. Thanks to the government, India’s employment laws are much easier to comprehend than countries like the Philippines, a major competitor in the Asian region for outsourced and remote jobs.
With the improved technical infrastructure and deep penetration of internet connectivity, global corporations can now hire outstanding talent from even tier-II and tier-III cities and stay connected at all times.
7. Flexible and Diverse Pool of Knowledge Workers
Besides providing access to leading IT professionals, hiring a remote team from India allows organizations to expand their reach to a flexible and diverse pool of knowledge workers. The thriving outsourcing industry ensures there is plenty of employable talent well-versed in working in different time zones. The abundance of talent across back-office functions, such as HR, marketing, finance, banking, risk, and compliance, allows global outfits to set up regional hubs in India or hire specialized individual workers depending upon their needs.
8. Association with Third-party Consultants
There are various methods of hiring remote employees from India, like social media platforms and job sites. However, these platforms pose a considerable risk as they may not always reveal everything prospective employers might want to know. Here is where the abundance of third-party consultants in India plays a significant role. Such consultants help organizations with remote hiring, background checks, payment processing, security, and compliance. Moreover, they also assist in overcoming cultural and legal barriers, making it easier for companies to manage remote teams.
Parting Thoughts
Remote hiring is a highly lucrative concept because of the numerous benefits it offers in terms of skills, management, service delivery, and costs. It is a multi-pronged activity that requires organizations to consider several aspects. Every country provides distinct benefits for companies looking to hire a remote team. The trick is to hire from a country that offers the maximum benefits. And India certainly seems to be outplaying and outsmarting any other country at the moment. So, if you are wondering where to hire a remote team for your business, rest assured, India is your answer.
About Ufinity Ventures
Ufinity Ventures provides talent management and business development solutions for SMEs & startups looking to outsource operations to Asia. Be it pre-hire services or post-hire assistance, we offer end-to-end solutions and work as an extended team for our broad global clientele base, thereby helping them save time and costs while enabling them to gain access to the best local talent.
