Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has come out in support of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairperson SN Subrahmanyan, who recently sparked controversy by advocating for longer work hours in India. Murthy suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week, while Subrahmanyan proposed a 90-hour work week for his employees. Chidambaram argued that their statements reflect a broader perspective aimed at enhancing productivity in a developing country.
Chidambaram noted that the reactions to their comments may have overlooked the context and that their remarks were not intended for workers performing repetitive tasks, but rather aimed at inspiring young Indians to embrace hard work and build a prosperous nation. He also highlighted that the eight-hour workday, first legislated in Germany in 1918, may not uniformly apply to all professions. For example, farmers and professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and scientists often work beyond traditional hours.
The former finance minister also touched on the potential impact of technological advancements on work norms, suggesting that automation, robotics, and AI could lead to shorter working hours without sacrificing productivity. He personally enjoys long working hours, stating that work-life balance is a personal discovery for each individual. Chidambaram believes that Murthy and Subrahmanyan were advocating for a cultural shift, urging the aspirational young generation to understand that long hours of productive work can make a developing country truly rich and improve the lives of millions of people.
Ultimately, Chidambaram argues that their comments may have had an unintended effect of provoking people to think and reassess their approach to work and productivity, which could ultimately lead to a more balanced view of work and life. While their remarks have sparked a heated debate, Chidambaram believes that their words may not be controversial after all, but rather a valuable contribution to the national conversation on productivity and work ethic.