Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan has stirred a storm along with his current proposal advocating for a 90-hour workweek, together with Sundays, to keep up competitiveness.
The controversial suggestion comes towards the backdrop of rising issues in regards to the risks of overwork, highlighted by the tragic demise of a 26-year-old EY worker, Anna Sebastian Perayil, final yr.
She reportedly succumbed to the pressures of intensive working hours, simply 4 months into her job.
Globally, working hours range broadly, with Bhutan topping the record of nations with the longest weekly hours. In keeping with the Worldwide Labour Organisation (ILO), Bhutanese staff work a mean of 54.4 hours per week, adopted by the UAE at 50.9 hours and Lesotho at 50.4 hours.
In stark distinction, Vanuatu has emerged because the nation with the shortest workweek, with staff working a mean of simply 24.7 hours per week. Solely 4% of Vanuatu’s workforce clocks greater than 49 hours weekly, reflecting a pointy distinction to the worldwide development.
Supply: Wages and Working Time Statistics (COND) Database, ILOSTAT
Different nations with the least working hours embrace Kiribati (27.3 hours), Micronesia (30.4 hours), and the Netherlands (31.6 hours), recognized for its progressive work-life stability insurance policies.
India, ranked thirteenth among the many world’s most overworked international locations, sees its workforce logging a mean of 46.7 hours per week. Over 51% of Indian staff work 49 hours or extra weekly, inserting the nation second globally for extended working hours.
A MediBuddy and CII survey discovered that 62% of Indian staff expertise burnout—3 times the worldwide common of 20%.
The talk round extreme work hours has reignited issues about productiveness, well being, and work-life stability. Analysis from the World Well being Organisation (WHO) and ILO identifies lengthy hours as the highest occupational danger issue, contributing considerably to illness and early demise.
These findings problem the concept that extra hours result in higher output.
Whereas Subrahmanyan’s remarks have sparked backlash, they underscore the continuing rigidity between financial ambitions and worker well-being.
