Google’s "shadowforce" of temporary staff now outnumbers full-time employees, leaked documents have revealed. 

As of March 2019 the technology giant, which is worth around $798 billion (629bn), had 121,000 contractors to 102,000 staff, according to the New York Times. 

Analysts said Google can save up to $100,000 per employee by not putting them on the books. But its dependence on these contractors, referred to as Temporary Vendor Contractors or “TVCs” internally, has become controversial among full-time employees. They have begun to protest their colleagues’ lower pay, lack of paid holiday and lack of job security.

Employees used a global protest which saw thousands of workers around the world walk out after the company allegedly paid executives accused of sexual harassment to leave quietly, to demand that TVCs were given better treatment.

“The exclusion of TVCs from important communications and fair treatment is part of a system of institutional racism, sexism, and discrimination,” a letter sent to chief executive Sundar Pichai from the organisers read.

“TVCs are disproportionately people from marginalized groups who are treated as less deserving of compensation, opportunities, workplace protections, and respect.”

In response, Mr Pichai announced in April that by 2020 Google would commit to pay temporary staff $15 per hour and offer 12 weeks of parental leave and healthcare by 2022.