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• Nov 2, 2023 | Poonam Nath

Globally, India ranks sixth, with only a few countries outperforming it, including Qatar, Congo, Lesotho, Bhutan...

Digital Desk: In our fast-paced society, many people are interested in the topic of work productivity and the benefits of extended work hours. Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's recent remarks have set the stage for a debate on these issues. 

Murthy's suggestion of 70-hour work weeks for India's youngsters was met with scepticism as well as praise.

Unexpectedly, however, statistics from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) show that, as of 2023, Indians are already among the toughest workers in the world, putting in an average of 47.7 hours a week per employed person.

Furthermore, India has the longest average workweek among the world's ten major economies when compared to this figure.

Globally, India ranks seventh, with only a few countries outperforming it, including Qatar, Congo, Lesotho, Bhutan, Gambia, and the United Arab Emirates. This information has caught the interest of the International Labour Organisation, which is considering producing a report on working hours in India.

India has the most weekly hours of employment among the top ten global economies but the lowest per capita GDP. On the other hand, France has one of the greatest per capita GDP figures among these economies, with the lowest working week at 30.1 hours.

K Pandiarajan, Executive Chairman and HR expert at Ma Foi Strategic Consultants has stepped in, arguing for a balanced approach.

He advised India against just copying the Western model of a 35-hour workweek. Instead, he advocates for establishing a happy medium of 48 hours per week while also considering employees' health and fitness.

The debate regarding working hours is not totally accomplished, and it poses important concerns about how India plans to improve its economic competitiveness while putting the welfare of its workers first.