Sat Jan 11 11:33:23 UTC 2025: ## Indian CEOs Urge Excessive Work Hours, Sparking Outrage

**NEW DELHI** – A wave of criticism is sweeping across India following a series of pronouncements from top CEOs advocating for drastically increased work hours. Executives, including L&T chairman S N Subrahmanyan, who suggested a 90-hour work week, and others from companies like Ola and Bombay Shaving Company, have championed grueling work regimens, citing reasons ranging from character building to national development.

This push for extended work hours, which often includes sacrificing weekends, has been met with widespread backlash. Critics point to a stark disconnect between these demands and the realities faced by employees struggling with high stress, low income, and limited support systems. The comments are seen as tone-deaf and insensitive, particularly in a country where the average work week already surpasses those in North America and Europe.

Subrahmanyan’s controversial statement, comparing the time spent at work to time spent with family, highlights a perceived prioritization of profit over employee well-being. Experts argue that there’s no evidence linking longer work hours to increased productivity, and that such demands overlook the physical and mental health consequences, as well as familial responsibilities. The 24/7 work culture promoted by some leaders is considered unrealistic for the majority of employees who lack adequate support systems at home.

This issue underscores a larger crisis of imagination within the corporate sector, critics argue. While financial incentives like stock options and high salaries are offered, they are insufficient to compensate for the extreme demands placed on employees. The underlying message, many feel, is that employee turnover is ultimately more important than employee welfare. This contrasts sharply with the International Labour Organisation’s principle that “labour is not a commodity,” a principle many CEOs appear to disregard. The debate continues to highlight the urgent need for a more balanced and humane approach to work culture in India.

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