Overview
Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy made headlines with his recent statement, proposing that the younger generation in India must embrace a 70-hour workweek to bolster the country’s global competitiveness.
This statement ignited a fervent debate across social media platforms, with netizens sharply divided into two teams.
What did Mr Narayana Murthy say?
In the inaugural episode of 3one4 Capital’s podcast ‘The Record,’ released on YouTube on October 26, Mr Narayana Murthy took centre stage.
Engaging in a conversation with former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai, Murthy explored various topics, including nation-building and technology. During the exchange, he made a significant statement regarding India’s work productivity, highlighting its position as one of the lowest globally. Drawing parallels with post-World War II Japan and Germany, Murthy argued that, to rival nations like China, the youth of India needed to dedicate additional work hours.
Critics argue that such an expectation places an undue burden on the workforce, questioning the impact on work-life balance. Meanwhile, supporters say that it reflects the intense competition and dedication required for India to catch up with rapidly progressing economies.
Unravelling the Debate
Voices of Advocacy
Mohandas Pai, former CFO of Infosys, presented statistical evidence on the weekly working hours of urban men across different states. Pai emphasised that Narayana Murthy’s counsel was directed at individuals below 30, asserting that hard work is crucial for prosperity, as supported by the data.
Sharing a map, Pai revealed that the average working hours in India are 61.6 per week. Interestingly, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu recorded the highest average working hours at 78.6, surpassing Murthy’s recommendation. The data source is the Time Use Survey (2019) conducted by the government of India.
Ola Cabs CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and JSW’s Sajjan Jindal defended Narayana Murthy’s statement, considering it a dedicated march towards advancing India.
Aggarwal voiced total agreement with Murthy’s views, emphasising the need to work intensively to accomplish in one generation what other countries have built over many generations.
Jindal supported Murthy’s statement, focusing on the importance of dedication over burnout for making India an economic superpower. He dismissed the idea of a 5-day week culture, stating it is unsuitable for a rapidly developing nation of India’s size.
Voices of Dissent
In contrast, there were varying opinions from industry leaders.
Ronnie Screwvala, the founder of upGrad, stressed that boosting productivity goes beyond working longer hours. He advocated for upskilling, a positive work environment, and fair compensation, emphasising that the quality of work takes precedence over the quantity of hours spent.
Sukhbir Singh Bhatia, the CEO of Hi-COM Network, highlighted the importance of a well-rested and driven team, remarking that a balanced work-life culture fosters innovation, creativity, and employee satisfaction — all vital for success.
Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management Limited highlighted the often overlooked contributions of Indian women who dedicate more than seventy hours per week to work without complaint.
She underscored that these women not only contribute significantly in offices but also play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of India at home. Gupta underlined the importance of recognising and acknowledging the efforts of these women who play a pivotal role in building India in both professional and domestic spheres.
Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico Group, admitted the significance of hard work but emphasised that quality and passion should take preeminence. He suggested that the ultimate goal should be to make work invigorating and rewarding, seamlessly integrating the work-life balance paradigm.
Numerous corporate employees voiced their disappointment on X, condemning Narayana Murthy’s idea as inhumane and shedding light on the toxic work culture they had experienced.
Among the dissenting voices, Bengaluru-based cardiologist Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy raised concerns about the health repercussions for young individuals subjected to extended working hours. Dr Krishnamurthy specifically highlighted the potential link between prolonged work hours and an increased risk of heart attacks among youngsters.
Tech Mahindra’s CP Gurnani addressed the widespread outrage regarding Narayana Murthy’s 70-hour work statement, expressing his perspective. Gurnani clarified that when Murthy speaks about work, it goes beyond the confines of a company; it extends to the individual and the nation.
According to Gurnani, Murthy isn’t advocating for a strict 70 hours dedicated solely to the company but encourages a more holistic approach. Gurnani emphasised investing 30 hours in oneself, urging individuals to commit the remaining 40 hours to their professional endeavours.
Also read: Unveiling Gender Disparities in Earnings – A Dynamic Analysis from PLFS 2023
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