The ongoing debate around the controversial suggestion of a 90-hour workweek by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan has taken a humorous twist, with dairy giant Amul weighing in with its signature creative touch. The proposal, which includes working even on Sundays, has sparked significant backlash and an array of reactions across industries and social media.
In a widely circulated video, SN Subrahmanyan questioned how employees utilized their time off, suggesting that staying home had limited benefits. He remarked, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working.”
These comments quickly went viral, igniting a flurry of criticism, memes, and debates, even prompting reactions from prominent business leaders like Harsh Goenka, Anand Mahindra, and Adar Poonawalla. Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone also weighed in on the issue, amplifying the discourse.
Amul’s Take: Adding Humor to the Debate
Known for its witty and socially relevant advertising, Amul shared a doodle on the topic. The text on the illustration read, “Labour and Toil? Amul stares at bread daily,” adding its humorous perspective to the debate.
This move by Amul resonated with the public, lightening the mood while drawing attention to a serious issue regarding workplace expectations and the balance between professional and personal life.
Subrahmanyan’s comments received widespread criticism on social media platforms. Many users drew parallels to a recent statement by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who advocated for a 70-hour workweek. The backlash highlighted concerns about excessive work hours, employee well-being, and the potential for burnout in an already overburdened workforce.
L&T’s Defense of the Chairman’s Vision
In response to the controversy, L&T issued a statement defending the chairman’s remarks. The company emphasized the broader context of the comments, aligning them with India’s developmental ambitions.
The statement read:
“At L&T, nation-building is at the core of our mandate. We believe this is India’s decade, a time demanding collective dedication and effort to drive progress and realise our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The Chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasising that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort.”
While L&T attempted to position the comments within the framework of national progress, this explanation did little to quell the public outcry.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has highlighted that India is already one of the most overworked countries globally. On average, Indian employees work 46.7 hours per week. Furthermore, 51% of India’s workforce clocks 49 or more hours weekly, placing the country second in the world for prolonged working hours.
This data underscores the concerns raised by critics of Subrahmanyan’s 90-hour workweek suggestion, as employees in India already face significant pressure and long working hours.
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