- WorkIndia has revolutionized the blue-collar job market in India. What inspired you to start this platform, and what challenges did you face in the early days?
We’ve always believed in doing work that truly makes a difference, something that creates a real impact in people’s lives. That’s where the idea for WorkIndia came from. We wanted to solve a big problem: millions of blue-collar workers in India were struggling to find jobs, and small businesses were struggling to find the right people. In 2015, we started with just six people and a clear goal: to make job search simple, fair, and accessible for everyone, especially for those who needed it the most. The early days weren’t easy. There were very few systems in place for this kind of hiring. Trust was low, internet usage was just picking up, and most job seekers didn’t know how to navigate digital platforms. But we kept building, listening, and improving.
It was always about achha kaam, doing the right thing. And that’s what keeps us going even today. - How does WorkIndia differentiate itself from other job search platforms in terms of technology and user experience?
WorkIndia stands out in the job search space for blue and grey-collar workers through a combination of early innovation and deep technological infrastructure. As one of the first movers in this segment, we’ve spent over seven years building a product that’s deeply rooted in understanding this audience’s needs. Our platform features India’s most advanced fraud detection system, processing 9.8 million data parameters to ensure the highest level of safety and authenticity for both job seekers and employers. This technological backbone is unmatched in the industry. In 2017, we also introduced the ‘calling model’, an innovation that enabled real-time job seeker-employer communication. What began as a unique feature at WorkIndia is now the standard across the industry. While we welcome more players in the ecosystem, because it helps grow the category we pioneered, we remain focused on continuously improving our core product. - With AI and automation transforming the job market, how do you see the future of blue-collar employment in India?
AI and automation are undoubtedly reshaping the job landscape across the world, but in a country like India, where the blue-collar workforce forms a significant portion of the economy, the impact will be nuanced. While certain repetitive or manual roles may evolve or reduce due to automation, there will also be a rise in demand for roles that require human intervention, problem-solving, customer interaction, and on-ground execution, tasks that machines still struggle to replicate with efficiency in the Indian context. Sectors like logistics, delivery, field services, facility management, and construction are expected to grow and evolve, not vanish. Moreover, technology will also create opportunities for upskilling. Blue-collar workers will increasingly interact with digital tools, smart devices, and automated systems, which means tech literacy will become an asset. Platforms like WorkIndia aim to bridge that gap, not just by connecting job seekers to employers, but by helping them navigate a more tech-integrated work environment. In the future, we believe the focus will shift from fear of job loss to readiness for change. With the right tools, access, and training, India’s blue-collar workforce can thrive in this new era, more empowered, more productive, and more future-ready than ever before. - WorkIndia has grown significantly over the years. What key strategies have contributed to this success, and how do you plan to scale further?
WorkIndia started in 2015 with a small team of six and one big goal, to make it easier for people to find jobs. In the first few years, we focused on building strong technology and launched India’s first fully automated hiring app, designed for blue and grey-collar workers. By 2018, thanks to JIO, more people across India had access to smartphones and the internet, which helped us grow quickly. In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, we worked hard to improve how our platform works, manage our revenue better, and make the business stronger. By 2022, our revenue grew by 250%, while keeping our costs in check.
We began with a vision of providing meaningful livelihoods to the 27.5 million blue-collar workers of India, and we are going to continue focusing on our product and end use - What is your long-term vision for WorkIndia, and how do you see it shaping the future of employment in India?
Our long-term vision at WorkIndia is to become the single largest platform for blue and grey-collar employment in India, where every individual, regardless of their background or education level, can access job opportunities with ease, dignity, and trust. We want to ensure that no job seeker is left behind due to a lack of information, resources, or connections. Using technology, data, and a deep understanding of user behavior, we aim to remove every barrier that exists between a job seeker and the right employer. Over time, we envision building a complete employment ecosystem, not just for finding jobs, but also for upskilling, career growth, financial inclusion, and support services. As India continues to grow, the demand for a skilled and dependable workforce will rise, and WorkIndia will be at the forefront, empowering millions of workers and helping employers find the talent they need.
Our mission started with a simple goal: to provide meaningful livelihoods to the 27.5 million blue-collar workers of India. That goal continues to guide us as we shape the future of employment, one job, one life at a time.
Passionate in Marketing – In Conversation With Mr. Nilesh Dungarwal, Co-founder & CEO, WorkIndia
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