Fri Jan 10 06:11:55 UTC 2025: ## L&T Chairman Sparks Outrage with 90-Hour Work Week Proposal

**New Delhi, January 9, 2025** – Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan has ignited a firestorm of controversy after a video surfaced showing him advocating for a 90-hour work week for employees, even suggesting they forgo Sundays. His comments, which included questioning how long employees could “stare at their wives,” have reignited the ongoing debate surrounding work-life balance in India.

The video, circulating widely on social media, shows Subrahmanyan urging employees to spend less time at home and more in the office, drawing sharp criticism online. He justified his proposal by citing China’s strong work ethic as a key factor in its economic success, claiming Chinese workers average 90 hours per week compared to 50 for Americans.

L&T subsequently released a statement clarifying that Subrahmanyan’s remarks were intended to emphasize the exceptional effort required to achieve national development goals, framing the comments within the context of India’s ambition to become a developed nation. However, the statement did little to quell the outrage.

Subrahmanyan’s comments follow similar controversial statements from other prominent Indian business figures. Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy previously advocated for a 70-hour work week, while billionaire Gautam Adani recently weighed in, suggesting that work-life balance is a matter of personal choice. These statements have been particularly sensitive in the wake of the death of a young EY consultant last year, which highlighted the pressures faced by employees in high-demand jobs.

The incident has sparked a renewed conversation about fair working conditions and the importance of work-life balance in India, prompting debate about the expectations placed on employees, particularly in relation to their compensation and the pressures exerted by top executives. Many social media users questioned the rationale behind high-paid CEOs expecting the same level of commitment from lower-paid employees.

Read More