The Karnataka State IT Employees Union (KITU) has strongly criticized L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s recent comments advocating for a 90-hour work week.
The union called it an example of corporate greed, highlighting the detrimental impact such a proposal would have on workers’ well-being.
Karnataka Union: L&T Chairman’s Controversial Remarks
During an employee interaction, Subrahmanyan lamented that L&T workers were not required to work on Sundays.
He stated, “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 also drew a controversial comparison, pointing to employees in China who reportedly work up to 90 hours per week.
Subrahmanyan claimed that such a work culture could help China surpass the US in global dominance.
In response, KITU Secretary Sooraj Nidiyanga stated that the union was not considering this as an isolated statement.
“Previously, when Narayana Murthy advocated for a 70-hour work week, there was an attempt to implement the same in Karnataka.
Only because of the intervention and mobilisation by KITU and resistance from employees, the government was forced to step back,” he explained.
The union emphasized that they are not ready to sacrifice their well-being for corporate profits.
Industry Leaders’ Opinions
The debate has sparked diverse opinions from industry leaders.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra stressed the importance of focusing on the quality of work rather than the sheer quantity of hours worked.
“Even if it’s 10 hours, you can change the world in 10 hours,” he said. Former HCL CEO Vineet Nayar criticized the glorification of long hours, emphasizing the toll on energy and creativity.
“The real question isn’t how much you work. It’s how fully you live,” Nayar wrote in a LinkedIn post.
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