G4S India to hire 20,000 people this year

At a time when most industries are laying off workers to tide over the economic slowdown, security solutions major G4S will hire 18,000-20,000 people for its India operations in the current fiscal.

"We have been growing at about 30 per cent in the Indian market. Looking at this, we would expect to hire 18,000-20,000 people in this fiscal (January-December 2009)," G4S Regional President (North Africa, Middle East and Southern Asia) David I Hudson told PTI here.

This addition will take the total number of employees to about 1.5 lakh from the current 1.3 lakh employees as the company continues to grow at 30 per cent.

"We have seen an increased demand from sectors like hospitality, diplomatic mission, airports and software firms," he said adding that clients are now asking for a combination of manned and electronic surveillance.

The company will also bring in more advanced services for the Indian market.

"We have about a 35 per cent market share in the organised sector... Going ahead, we would bring in products and services for the Indian market looking at its needs," Hudson said.