What does boss mean by recruiting 0-20 people directly?

Because this represents the size of the company, a small company with 0-20 people, direct recruitment refers to the act of direct employment, directly recruiting 0-20 people.

Direct recruitment means that the employer recruits by itself. The contrast is a commission system, that is, entrusting a third-party organization to recruit workers. Things like outsourcing or headhunting are entrusted. Job seekers may not be able to get in touch with real employers. We are negotiating with a middleman.