**MP Urges Labour Minister to Penalise L&T Chairman’s 90-Hour-Work-Week Remark**
In a recent development that has sparked controversy and outrage, CPIML (Liberation) MP Raja Ram Singh has penned a letter to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, calling for penalties to enforce laws on working hours in response to L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s remarks advocating a staggering 90-hour workweek.
**The Letter to the Labour Minister**
Singh’s letter, sent out on Friday, highlighted Subrahmanyan’s comments that employees should dedicate 90 hours a week to work, along with similar endorsements from prominent figures like Infosys Co-founder Narayana Murthy, Ola’s Bhavish Aggarwal, and Jindal Steel Works’ Sajjan Jindal. The MP emphasized the need for strict enforcement of existing regulations on working hours to safeguard employee well-being and productivity.
**Outrage and Concerns**
The debate around the 90-hour workweek proposal intensified online following Subrahmanyan’s controversial statements. Notably, he was heard questioning the importance of spending time with family and wives, urging employees to prioritize work over personal life. Singh condemned such rhetoric, underlining the detrimental impact of extended work hours on workers’ health and overall productivity.
**India’s Work Culture in Focus**
Singh shed light on India’s workforce, already known for its diligence, and cited the International Labour Organisation’s projections that by 2023, India will have one of the lengthiest average workweeks globally. He reiterated the legal framework outlined in the Factories Act, which restricts adult workers from exceeding 48 hours per week and nine hours per day in factory settings.
**Call for Action**
Asserting the government’s responsibility to uphold labor laws and protect workers’ rights, Singh emphasized the urgency of addressing violations and ensuring adherence to prescribed working hour limits. He urged the authorities to intervene and safeguard employees from being coerced into exceeding the mandated work hours, advocating for a balanced approach that respects both professional commitments and personal well-being.
With mounting concerns over work-life balance and the implications of prolonged work hours on individuals’ health and productivity, Singh’s plea to the Labour Minister stands as a call to action for upholding labor standards and fostering a conducive work environment for all employees.
**Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.**
