As pink slips and layoffs take the edge out of 'lifetime jobs,' temporary employment is fast emerging as a viable option across various sections of the industry: infotech, business process outsourcing, information technology-enabled services, and fast moving consumer goods.

According to estimates, around 14 million Indians would be opting for temporary jobs in various brand segments in the next three years. At present there are around 50,000 people employed in various segments.

Temporary staffing is about a $140 billion industry worldwide. However, it is relatively new in India, but gaining rapid acceptance.

"Temporary employment could rise from 50,000 to 14 million in three years provided the regulatory environment is conducive," says Ashok Reddy, Managing Director, TeamLease.

International public policies recognise that temporary jobs are an integral part of labour markets and in some developed markets this exceeds 5 per cent of the workforce.

Reforms and amendments to various regulations that hinder temporary employment could raise the white collar temp staff population in India manifold in next few years, he says.

"In India, the biggest challenge today is unemployment. Job creation is the urgent priority as India is the only country which is growing younger," says Manish Sabharwal, also into temporary staffing solutions.

He says temporary jobs have emerged as the largest employment in the United States and Europe and those who have benefited the most from it are retired people, students and housewives.

"In India, till now the mentality of the people is 'lifetime' jobs. Because of this, there are thousands who have remained jobless. But with the opening up of the economy and the coming of IT culture, this concept is becoming popular," says Reddy, noting call centres have further fuelled the trend.

"Also, in today's stressed up environment, there are those who after 15 years of service, want a change in the job but are not ready for long term commitments. Temporary jobs give them the required flexibility and they can work at ease and spend some time with their family in between two jobs," he says.

As of today, temporary jobs are available in multiple skills and segments: banking, insurance, FMCG and ITES. The need is to create awareness among the people about their potential and among the employers about the benefits of temp jobs for short term assignments, he says.

Unlike the common belief, those going in for temp jobs are entitled to all statutory benefits, even though their employment at one place may be anywhere between three to nine months, he says.

The job structure is pyramidical where one enters at the bottom -- fresh graduates -- and slowly moves up, adding every job experience to his curriculum vitae. However, there are many who join at the middle- and the top-level also, says Reddy, noting that for freshers it helps build job resume in brand organisations.

As of today, there are few select companies in the placement network but many multinational companies are waiting to enter this area because there could be lot of foreign jobs also in this network, he says.

Information is the key to drive this business, says Sabharwal, noting that the idea is not yet acceptable to many. But once there is flexibility in the labour market, things will improve.