Thu Jan 09 16:50:00 UTC 2025: ## India’s 90-Hour Work Week Debate Reignited After L&T Chairman’s Controversial Remarks

**New Delhi, India** – A renewed debate over work-life balance in India has erupted following comments by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan advocating for a 90-hour work week, including Sundays. Subrahmanyan’s suggestion, made during an employee interaction, sparked outrage online, particularly due to his justification: “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy… What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?”

This controversy follows a similar debate triggered in 2023 by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s suggestion of a 70-hour work week for millennials and Gen Z to boost India’s economic competitiveness. Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal echoed this sentiment, claiming he personally works 20 hours a day, seven days a week.

The debate highlights a broader issue of overwork in India, exacerbated by the recent death of a young Ernst & Young (EY) employee allegedly due to excessive workload. While this case initially sparked widespread condemnation, it has since been largely overshadowed by the ongoing discussion.

Several prominent figures have weighed in, with differing opinions. Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal advocated for long working hours, particularly early in one’s career, while Shark Tank India judge Namita Thapar vehemently criticized this approach, highlighting the disparity between the financial freedom of investors and the pressures faced by salaried employees. The CEO of AI startup Greptile, Daksh Gupta, also faced backlash for his company’s expectation of over 14-hour workdays.

This debate comes amidst a backdrop of already long working hours in South Asia, according to a 2023 International Labour Organisation (ILO) report. Recent attempts by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to amend factory acts to allow 12-hour shifts have also fueled the controversy, with Tamil Nadu eventually withdrawing its amendment following protests. The current discussion raises serious concerns about employee well-being and the potential health risks associated with excessively long working hours, which doctors have linked to increased risks of stroke, depression, obesity, and premature death. The legal limit for working hours in India is currently 48 hours per week.

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