90-hour work week? No, it will not lead to higher productivity
Live MintA viral video featuring Larsen & Toubro Chairman S.N. The current Indian labour laws mandate that work hours should not exceed nine hours per day, including a rest period of half an hour. Diminishing returns Traditionally, the ‘grind’ or the ‘hustle’ culture has been glorified–in India as part of nation-building–but research shows long work hours may not lead to higher productivity. Overtime debate While labour laws mandate specified work hours, there are also provisions to tackle the need for overtime work. While India is currently the most populous country, with a massive young population with the potential to contribute to the country’s growth and prosperity, the push for longer hours or lower overtime wages without addressing productivity issues may lead to unequal progress, which the developed countries are already battling.