Tue Jan 21 17:03:50 IST 2025: ## Infosys Co-founder Narayana Murthy Walks Back 70-Hour Work Week Comments, Sparking Continued Debate on Work-Life Balance

**MUMBAI, INDIA** – Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has backtracked on his controversial suggestion that India’s young workforce should embrace 70-hour workweeks. While acknowledging his own extensive work history, Murthy now states that imposing long work hours is inappropriate and that the issue requires personal reflection, not public debate. His previous comments, made during an October podcast, sparked widespread criticism for potentially promoting employee exploitation and neglecting work-life balance.

Murthy’s initial assertion, linking long working hours to increased national productivity and competitiveness, drew parallels to the work ethic of Germany and Japan during World War II. This sparked a significant backlash on social media, with many arguing that such expectations are unfair, especially for entry-level employees with lower wages, and that prioritizing work quality over quantity is essential.

The debate was further fueled by similar comments from Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan, who reportedly suggested a 90-hour workweek during an internal interaction. While L&T’s HR head subsequently clarified that Subrahmanyan’s remarks were taken out of context, the incident ignited further discussion about the importance of work-life balance. Subrahmanyan’s comments included anecdotes about China’s work ethic and seemingly disparaging remarks about employees’ home life.

Adding to the diverse opinions, industrialist Gautam Adani emphasized that individual work-life balance choices should not be imposed on others, while Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj stressed the importance of work quality over quantity and the need for a more compassionate work environment.

The ongoing discussion highlights a significant divide in perspectives on work culture in India, with prominent business leaders offering contrasting views on the optimal balance between productivity and employee well-being. The debate continues to raise critical questions about fair labor practices and the future of work in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.

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