Can 70-hour workweeks be possible in India?

Can 70-hour workweeks be possible in India?

Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy recently suggested that India’s youth should work 70 hours a week if the country wants to compete with economies that have made tremendous progress in the past two to three decades.

Murthy’s suggestion has sparked a debate in India, with some people supporting it and others opposing it. Those who support Murthy’s suggestion argue that India needs to improve its work productivity in order to compete with other countries. They point to the fact that India’s work productivity is one of the lowest in the world.

On the one hand, there are some who believe that working 70 hours a week is necessary for India to achieve its economic goals. According to the World Bank, India’s labor productivity was only 18.7% of the United States’ in 2021. This is due to a number of factors, including poor infrastructure, lack of skilled workers, and inefficient work practices. They argue that India’s productivity is one of the lowest in the world, and that working longer hours is the only way to catch up with other countries. They also point to the fact that many countries in Asia, such as China and Japan, have a reputation for long work hours and high productivity.

On the other hand, there are many who believe that a 70-hour work week is unsustainable and unhealthy. They argue that such a long work week would lead to burnout, stress-related illnesses, and a poor work-life balance. They also point out that India has a large population of young people, and that many of them are already working long hours in low-paying jobs.

It is important to note that Murthy’s comments were not meant to be a blanket endorsement of a 70-hour work week for everyone. He was specifically addressing the need for India to improve its productivity in order to compete globally. However, his comments have raised important questions about the work culture in India and the balance between work and life.

Is a 70-hour work week possible in India? 

Theoretically, it is possible. However, there are a number of challenges that would need to be addressed in order to make it a reality. There are already many people in India who work long hours, often in difficult conditions. However, whether such a work week is desirable is another question.

A 70-hour work week would have a significant impact on the lives of workers and their families. It would leave little time for leisure, relationships, and other important aspects of life. It would also lead to increased stress and burnout.

In addition, there is no evidence that working longer hours leads to higher productivity. In fact, studies have shown that productivity drops significantly after a certain point.

Overall, it is unlikely that a 70-hour work week would be beneficial for India or its workers. There are other ways to improve productivity, such as investing in education and training, improving infrastructure, and reducing bureaucracy.

Here are some suggestions for how to improve productivity in India without resorting to a 70-hour work week:

• Invest in education and training to improve the skills of the workforce.
• Improve infrastructure to reduce transportation times and make it easier for businesses to operate.
• Reduce bureaucracy and make it easier for businesses to start and grow.
• Create a more supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Provide more affordable housing options, so that people can live in more spacious and comfortable conditions.
• Promote work-life balance by encouraging businesses to adopt flexible work arrangements and to provide employees with adequate time for rest and recreation.

By taking these steps, India can improve its productivity without sacrificing the well-being of its workers.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to work 70 hours a week is a personal one. However, if the government and businesses take steps to address the challenges mentioned above, it will make it more possible for India’s youth to choose to work longer hours if they so desire.

What do you think? Is it possible for India to adopt 70-hour workweeks? If so, what are the potential benefits and drawbacks?