Over the years, India has witnessed a significant transformation in the work culture and lifestyle of its citizens. The rise of the IT and allied sectors, coupled with economic reforms and globalization, has reshaped the way people work and live. In this changing landscape, the recent advice from Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, encouraging Indian youth to put in more hours of work per week, has sparked a crucial debate about work-life balance and its impact on society.
However, Narayana Murthy’s call for increased working hours has drawn mixed reactions. While some view it as a necessary step to boost productivity and the economy, others express concerns about the potential consequences of longer work hours on individuals and families. It’s essential to examine the various aspects of this debate and the broader implications for Indian society.
The Changing Work Environment
India’s IT and allied sectors have played a pivotal role in the nation’s economic growth and development. These industries have thrived on their ability to deliver high-quality services to clients worldwide. However, this success has come at a price, with employees often working long hours and adjusting to multiple time zones.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many IT professionals juggled their work between Indian and foreign time zones, leading to extended working hours. With the advent of work-from-home arrangements during the pandemic, long hours and the blurring of work and personal life have become the new norm. While this flexibility has benefits, it has also led to challenges in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Impact on Families
The consequences of extended working hours in the IT sector extend beyond individuals. Families of IT professionals, especially children, have been affected. Many IT workers spend the majority of their waking hours in their rooms, often with strict instructions for their families not to disturb them or make noise.
This isolation from family and society has taken a toll on family relationships. Family therapists and counselors have reported an increase in cases related to family issues, as work pressures and the constant threat of layoffs add stress to households. The impact on children is especially concerning, as they witness their parents’ overwhelming work commitments.
Narayana Murthy’s Call for Longer Hours
Narayana Murthy’s recent call for Indian youth to work more hours has raised questions about its implications for the industry and society. The call, while aiming to enhance productivity and economic growth, has left many unanswered questions. If the idea is to promote higher pay for longer work hours, it was not explicitly stated.
Critics argue that the emphasis on longer working hours is primarily aimed at increasing profitability for the private sector by employing fewer people for extended shifts. While this approach may be beneficial for businesses, it raises concerns about the well-being of the workforce and its effects on society.
The Strain on Individuals
Narayana Murthy’s suggestion of a 70-hour workweek translates to an average of 10 hours a day, seven days a week. For many, this can mean even longer hours, including travel time to and from work. In a five-day workweek, where professionals are expected to work 14 hours each day, a significant portion of the day is spent on work-related activities.
The pressure to meet such demanding work schedules leaves little time for individuals to rest, recuperate, and prepare mentally and physically for the next workweek. The concept of weekends as a time for relaxation and enjoyment becomes increasingly rare.
The Impact on Society
The shift towards longer working hours, common in the IT sector, is not limited to a single industry. It reflects a broader trend of extending working hours in the pursuit of economic growth. The prevalent use of outsourcing for lower-end jobs across various industries has become the norm, replacing the concept of job security and protection for workers.
Economic reforms have played a significant role in reshaping the Indian job market. With the advent of globalization, India became a hub for outsourcing and offshoring. While this brought economic opportunities, it also led to the erosion of job security and the dilution of labor protections.
The Impact of Economic Reforms
Economic reforms, coinciding with the global IT boom, marked a turning point for India. The country transitioned from a largely socialist model to a market-oriented economy. The influx of foreign investment and the IT industry’s growth reshaped India’s economic landscape.
The advent of outsourcing, starting with call centers and expanding to higher-value services like software development, created a new wave of opportunities. However, it also marked the beginning of the erosion of traditional Indian values and lifestyle.
The Changing Indian Family
The traditional joint family system, a cornerstone of Indian society, began to disintegrate as urbanization and job migration led individuals to move away from their hometowns and villages in pursuit of employment opportunities. Even under British colonial rule, the conservative tradition of not traveling overseas for higher education began to change as the educated elite sought education abroad.
Today, middle-class families often raise their children with the singular goal of gaining admission to prestigious Indian institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM). While these institutions offer quality education, many graduates choose to pursue opportunities abroad.
The new generation’s emphasis on education and careers often leads them to seek employment and higher education in foreign countries, contributing to the trend of nuclear families in urban India.
The Erosion of Traditional Values
The shift from the traditional Indian value system, characterized by close-knit joint families and a strong emphasis on family values, to nuclear families with an individualistic focus has raised concerns about the erosion of core Indian values.
As economic growth and job opportunities take precedence, the nation’s leadership and policymakers have failed to protect the unique Indian value system that once celebrated family as a central element of society. The juxtaposition of family values with national values, as often promoted by the political leadership, has not been preserved.
The Implications of Labor Law Reforms
While the economic reforms were celebrated for their potential to bring prosperity to the nation, the transformation also led to significant changes in labor laws. What were once labor-friendly policies evolved into a framework often perceived as pro-employer.
The labor law reforms have faced criticism from those who believe that they prioritize the interests of employers over those of workers. These reforms have altered the dynamics of job security, leading to increased job insecurity for employees in the private sector.
The Continuing Transformation
The changes in Indian society are not limited to the IT sector; they extend across various industries. Outsourcing has become the norm for many job positions, often replacing permanent employment with contract or gig work. The concept of job security and labor protections has given way to a more flexible labor market.
The desire for economic growth and integration into the global market has prompted a shift away from traditional values and a greater focus on economic progress. India’s journey from a socialist economy to a market-oriented one has created new opportunities but also raised questions about the impact on society.
As India’s position on the global stage continues to evolve, leaders must consider the long-term consequences of this transformation and strive to strike a balance between economic growth and the preservation of traditional values. The erosion of these values may have lasting implications for the nation’s social fabric.
Wrapping up
Narayana Murthy’s advice on working longer hours serves as a reminder of the changing work culture in India. It underscores the need to address the challenges of maintaining work-life balance, especially in a society where extended working hours are becoming the norm. The implications of this shift go beyond individuals and families, affecting society as a whole.
As India continues to navigate the complexities of economic reforms and globalization, it is crucial to find ways to preserve traditional values and family bonds while pursuing economic growth. Striking a balance between progress and preserving the unique Indian way of life is essential for the well-being of future generations and the nation’s social fabric.
(Mohd Ziyauallah Khan is a freelance content writer based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.”)
