India’s Race to the Bottom: The Dangers of Long Working Hours

Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, has said that 70 hours of work is neither productive nor sustainable in India. He has argued that Indian workers are not physically or mentally equipped to work for such long hours, and that it is ultimately counterproductive.

Murthy’s comments are in line with a growing body of research that suggests that long working hours are not correlated with increased productivity. In fact, some studies have shown that working more than 50 hours per week can actually lead to decreased productivity and increased health problems.

There are a number of reasons why long working hours are not sustainable in India. First, Indian workers are often not paid enough to support themselves and their families on a 40-hour workweek. This means that they often have to work overtime in order to make ends meet. Second, Indian workers often have to travel long distances to get to and from work, which can add to their workload. Third, Indian workers often have to deal with unreliable infrastructure and power outages, which can disrupt their work.

As a result of these factors, it is simply not possible for Indian workers to sustain a 70-hour workweek. This is why Murthy’s comments are so important. He is sending a message to Indian businesses that they need to rethink their approach to work-life balance.

In addition to the practical challenges, there are also ethical concerns about long working hours. When workers are forced to work long hours, they are often deprived of the opportunity to spend time with their families and friends, and to pursue their hobbies and interests. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.

It is important to remember that workers are not machines. They need time to rest and recharge in order to be productive. When businesses demand too much from their workers, it is ultimately counterproductive.

Murthy’s comments are a welcome reminder that businesses need to put the needs of their workers first. By adopting a more humane approach to work, businesses can create a more productive and sustainable workforce.

Consequences of 70 hours of work in India

• Decreased productivity: Studies have shown that working more than 50 hours per week can actually lead to decreased productivity. This is because workers who are overworked are more likely to make mistakes, have difficulty concentrating, and be less creative.
• Increased health problems: Long working hours can lead to a number of health problems, including stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and cardiovascular disease.
• Reduced work-life balance: When workers have to work long hours, they often have less time for their families, friends, and hobbies. This can lead to social isolation, relationship problems, and burnout.
• Increased turnover: Workers who are overworked are more likely to quit their jobs. This can lead to high turnover costs for businesses.
• Reduced innovation: When workers are overworked, they have less time to think creatively and come up with new ideas. This can stifle innovation and lead to businesses falling behind their competitors.

Pros of 70 hours of work in India

• Short-term gains: In the short term, businesses may see some gains from demanding long working hours from their employees. This is because employees may be able to meet deadlines and get more work done. However, these gains are often unsustainable and can lead to the consequences listed above in the long run.
• Competitiveness: In some industries, businesses may feel pressured to demand long working hours from their employees in order to remain competitive. This is because other businesses in the industry may be doing the same. However, this is a race to the bottom, and it is not sustainable in the long run.

Cons of 70 hours of work in India

• Unfair to workers: It is unfair to workers to demand them to work long hours. Workers have the right to a healthy work-life balance. When businesses demand long working hours, they are taking advantage of their employees.
• Bad for society: Long working hours are bad for society as a whole. They lead to decreased productivity, increased health problems, and reduced social cohesion.
• Unsustainable: Long working hours are not sustainable in the long run. Businesses that demand long working hours from their employees will eventually see the consequences in terms of reduced productivity, increased turnover, and stifled innovation.

Overall, the pros of 70 hours of work in India are outweighed by the cons. It is unfair to workers, bad for society, and unsustainable. Businesses should adopt a more humane approach to work and put the needs of their workers first.