The controversy surrounding working hours gained a new momentum in 2025 after Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan controversially urged workers to log up to 90 hours in a week. An undated video that was being circulated on the social media quoted Subrahmanyan saying, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays.“. If I can get you to work on Sundays, I‘ll be happier. What do you do at home? How long can you look at your wife?”
L&T later clarified these comments. A company spokesperson said the group is dedicated to “nation-building” and called attention to the extraordinary effort that will be needed to achieve the shared vision of a developed India. L&T claims the Chairman‘s comments are meant to stress the dedication and hard work that goes into exceptional results.
Other Industry Leaders Support Extended Work Hours
Subrahmanyan’s comments add to a growing list of business leaders advocating for extended workweeks:
Narayana Murthy: The Infosys co-founder ignited discussions in 2023 by suggesting Indians work 70-hour weeks for national progress.
Elon Musk: Known for his grueling work ethic, Musk has advocated for 80-100 hour weeks as a path to success.
Bhavish Aggarwal: The Ola CEO claimed to work 20 hours daily and dismissed weekly offs as a “Western concept.”
Anupam Mittal: The founder of Shaadi.com has suggested 80-hour weeks for young professionals in the early stages of their careers.
Legal and Health Consequences
Indian labor laws, such as the Factories Act and Shops and Establishments Act, restrict standard working hours to 48 hours per week. Long hours at work have been linked to negative health consequences, including the potential for stroke, depression, obesity, and early death.
Work-Life Balance Issues
Proponents of the long workweek further argue that work-life balance is quite important, citing news of how Anna Sebastian Perayil died under tragic circumstances and how she was allegedly killed by overwork in 2024 – the news further went on to trigger outrage and voices for dangers of overloading work in India. As the discussions on extended working hours continue, they bring into focus the unending battle between productivity and the well-being of employees in the fast-changing Indian professional landscape.
