Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan has sparked widespread criticism after suggesting a 90-hour work week, following in the footsteps of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who recently advocated for a 70-hour work week for India’s youth. Subrahmanyan’s remarks, made during an employee interaction, have gone viral, drawing backlash on social media for their implications on work-life balance and employee well-being. In an undated video, Subrahmanyan responded to a query about L&T’s six-day work policy by expressing regret that he couldn’t make employees work on Sundays. “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, because I work on Sundays,” he said. He further questioned employees about their time at home, asking, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.”
To support his argument, Subrahmanyan referred to a conversation with a Chinese individual who claimed that China’s edge over the United States stemmed from their workforce clocking 90 hours a week compared to the Americans’ 50. “If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week. Get going, guys,” he added.
Social Media Outrage
Subrahmanyan’s comments have been met with outrage, with many drawing comparisons to Narayana Murthy’s recent remarks. Social media users criticised his stance, calling it out as an example of poor leadership and a disregard for employee rights.
One user remarked, “And here I was thinking L&T is a good company. Seems like everyone’s following Narayana Murthy’s footsteps.” Another quipped, “‘How long can you stare at your wife?’ Bitch, what am I supposed to do? Stare at someone else’s wife?” Others highlighted the double standards, pointing out that such statements would likely never be directed at employees in other geographies. “India has one of the shittiest conditions when it comes to proper labour laws. None of these ‘business leaders’ would dare say such things in countries like the USA and get away with it,” commented a user.
Some attributed the remarks to a deeper issue in the private sector. “That’s why the craze for government jobs is at its peak in India. The private sector is only good at harassing employees,” said one post. Others expressed disbelief at the push for increasingly unrealistic work hours, with one user sarcastically commenting, “First 70, now 90 hours. Only 120 hours left to suggest.”
Broader Implications
The backlash underscores a growing concern over the treatment of employees in India’s private sector and the perceived lack of robust labour laws to protect them. Subrahmanyan’s comments have also reignited the debate on the cultural expectations around work and productivity in India, particularly in the context of global competition. While leaders like Narayana Murthy argue that longer hours are necessary for India to rise to global prominence, critics contend that such approaches ignore the need for balanced and sustainable work practices. For many, these remarks highlight the need for reforms in workplace culture and stronger protections for workers’ rights.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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