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The 90-Hour Work Week Hullabaloo

12 1
22.01.2025

By Peerzada Mohsin Shafi

In recent times, the topic of long working hours has been a subject of considerable debate in India. The latest headlines feature statements from high-profile figures like Infosys CEO and L&T Chairman. Infosys’s CEO earlier suggested that employees in the tech industry should work up to 70 hours a week, while the Chairman of L&T went a step further, proposing a 90-hour workweek. These comments have ignited a storm of criticism, with many arguing that such expectations are unreasonable and even exploitative.

The Hype and Criticism

The idea of a 90-hour workweek has sparked a great deal of controversy. Critics argue that it is an unrealistic and harmful demand, particularly in a country where labor laws are designed to protect workers from excessive working hours. In India, the Factories Act, the Shops and Establishments Act, and the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act set clear guidelines for working hours, mandating that employees should not work more than 48 hours a week, with overtime compensation for extra hours worked.

The backlash has been fierce, with many questioning the ethics behind such proposals. While I do not endorse the statement made by the L&T Chairman, I can acknowledge one thing: he is a man with clear ideology. Unlike others who may quietly adhere to such practices behind closed doors, he openly expressed what others may be thinking or doing. For that, at least he deserves recognition. However, this doesn’t change the fact that his suggestion is out of touch with the reality of labor laws in India, which are specifically designed to protect workers’ rights and prevent exploitation. The government and labor commissioners are aware of these concerns, but enforcement remains a critical issue. In fact, there have been very few instances where action has been taken against companies for........

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