Read To Know Who said What on Working Hours
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan has sparked controversy after suggesting that employees should work 90 hours per week, a comment that has since ignited a heated debate on work culture in India. Adding fuel to the fire, Subrahmanyan’s earnings for the fiscal year 2023-24 were revealed to be Rs 51 crore, which is 534.57 times the median salary of L&T employees at Rs 9.55 lakh.
According to The New Indian Express, Subrahmanyan’s remuneration package includes a base salary of Rs 3.6 crore, Rs 1.67 crore in prerequisites, and a commission of Rs 35.28 crore. He also received retirement benefits worth Rs 10.5 crore, marking a significant 43.11% increase from the previous fiscal year. His substantial pay package has raised questions about the disparity between top executives and average employees at the company.
The 90-Hour Work Week Remark
Subrahmanyan’s controversial remarks came during a recent town hall with employees, where he expressed frustration about the inability to make workers work on Sundays. “If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier, because I work on Sundays,” he said, further questioning what employees do during their time off. His comments quickly went viral, drawing criticism from public figures such as actress Deepika Padukone and businessman Harsh Goenka.
Many social media users highlighted the contrast between Subrahmanyan’s lucrative salary and the demands he places on employees. The chairman was compared to Indian business magnate Narayana Murthy, with some users speculating that Subrahmanyan would not make similar demands of employees in other countries.
An L&T spokesperson defended Subrahmanyan, stating that his comments reflected a broader vision for the company and its ambition to achieve extraordinary outcomes through extraordinary efforts. The company emphasized its commitment to fostering a culture driven by passion, purpose, and performance.
Other Founders on Working Hours in India:
Subrahmanyan’s remarks are part of a broader debate on working hours in India, where several high-profile entrepreneurs have voiced their opinions on the topic.
Narayana Murthy
In 2023, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy suggested that millennials and Gen Z employees should work 70-hour weeks to help India compete with developed nations. He cited the success of countries like Japan and Germany, where extended work hours played a role in post-war economic recovery.
Bhavish Aggarwal
Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal echoed Murthy’s sentiment in a podcast, stating that he was “fully in sync” with the idea of longer work hours. Aggarwal, who claims to work 20 hours a day, also stated that the concept of taking weekends off is a “western” idea and shouldn’t be applied in India.
Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar
Shark Tank India judges Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar offered differing views on work hours. Mittal, CEO of Shaadi.com, supported longer work weeks, advising young professionals to work 80 hours in the early stages of their careers. Thapar, on the other hand, criticised this notion, claiming that salaried employees, unlike entrepreneurs, do not have the financial freedom to work extended hours without significant personal sacrifices.
Global and Local Backlash:
While extended work hours have been a common theme among some Indian business leaders, there is growing concern over the impact of long working hours on employee health. A 2023 report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) highlighted those South Asian countries, including India, have the longest working hours globally.
In India, recent legislative changes have stirred controversy. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka attempted to amend the Factories Act to allow 12-hour work shifts, prompting widespread protests from labor unions. While Tamil Nadu withdrew the legislation after backlash, Karnataka has paused it for now.
As the debate continues, it’s clear that the balance between work and well-being remains a contentious issue for both employees and employers in India.
