SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has sparked another controversy. This time, he criticized government welfare schemes, claiming they prevent workers from relocating for jobs. This follows his earlier suggestion of a 90-hour workweek, which had already stirred online backlash.
Government Schemes Impact Worker Mobility
At the CII’s Mystic South Global Linkages Summit 2025, Subrahmanyan explained that workers are less willing to move due to government schemes. He said, “Labour is not willing to move for opportunities. Maybe their local economy is doing well, maybe it is due to the various government schemes.” Consequently, he warned that this reluctance could have a negative impact on India’s infrastructure development.
High Attrition and Wage Concerns at L&T
Furthermore, Subrahmanyan addressed the high attrition rate at L&T. He revealed that while the company needs 4 lakh workers, it hires 16 lakh to compensate for turnover. To tackle this issue, he emphasized the importance of adjusting wages in line with inflation, which is crucial for retaining employees.
Revisiting His Previous Remarks
This new controversy comes after Subrahmanyan faced criticism last month for advocating a 90-hour workweek. In a video, he even suggested employees should work on Sundays and spend less time at home, saying, “How long can you stare at your wife?” This remark reignited debates on work-life balance, initially sparked by Narayana Murthy’s suggestion of a 70-hour workweek.
Backlash and Public Reaction
Subrahmanyan’s comments about working on Sundays generated significant public backlash. He remarked, “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.” Naturally, his remarks only fueled the ongoing debate about the balance between work and personal life.
