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India’s workforce is grappling with one of the longest work weeks globally. According to a report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the average Indian works 46.7 hours per week – ranking the country 13th globally in terms of long working hours. But how sustainable is this culture of overwork?
The recent tragedy of anna sebastianAn employee of multinational EY India, who died after being hospitalized due to work pressure, brings this issue to the forefront. Overwork in the corporate world is not limited to multinational companies only; It extends to various areas. According to a survey by PAIGAM and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers, about 31% of cab drivers work more than 14 hours a day, while food delivery drivers on platforms like Swiggy and Zomato work an average of 69.3 hours per week – No Sunday holiday.
The issue of long working hours is not limited to manual laborers only. Even white-collar workers are struggling, with CEOs like Larsen & Toubro’s SN Subramanian suggesting a 90-hour work week. This extreme view of overwork has sparked debate over whether ‘work-life balance’ is a luxury or a necessity.
Data from the Institute of Human Development shows that between 2012 and 2022, real earnings of salaried and self-employed individuals in India are set to decline. Meanwhile, the pay of top CEOs at IT companies has increased by more than 160%.
As the workforce is facing mental health issues such as burnout, depression and anxiety – 63% of employees in India experience burnout – it is time for change. Will India continue on the path of overwork, or is it time to prioritize quality work, fair compensation and employee welfare?
