Shashi Tharoor is right; India has among the worst work hour schedules

Shashi Tharoor, a member of the Congress party, responded on Friday to the recent passing of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a chartered accountant from Kerala employed at Ernst & Young. He emphasized that human rights extend beyond the workplace. Additionally, he recounted his deeply moving conversation with Anna's father.

“Had a deeply emotional and heartrending conversation with Shri Sibi Joseph, the father of young Anna Sebastian, who passed away after a cardiac arrest, following four months of deeply stressful seven-day weeks of 14 hours a day at Ernst&Young,” Tharoor wrote on X.

Tharoor's issue expectedly caught a raw nerve in a society increasingly getting overworked since the market started booming in 1991 post-liberalisation. While this had been a grouse among workers, who paradoxically do not complain about the money that comes with the inhuman exploitation of labour, a VIP raising the issue had many taking note. In the recent past, Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy had sparked a huge debate in the country when he suggested in October 2023 that India's work culture needed to change and that youngsters should be prepared to work for 70 hours a week. Tharoor has given the murmuring protesters a new lease of life.

In terms of the statistics of best and worst practices across the world, Tharoor does make more sense, as India features among the second lot.

Best and worst practices globally

Working hours vary significantly across the world, influenced by labour laws, cultural norms, and economic conditions. These laws dictate the maximum number of hours employees can work, the minimum rest periods, and overtime provisions. Here's a look at some of the best and worst practices globally, as well as labour laws regarding working hours in different countries:

Best practices in working hours

1. France: 35-hour workweek

France is known for its 35-hour workweek, established by the "Aubry law" in 2000. This law aims to improve work-life balance and reduce unemployment by encouraging job-sharing. Employees can work longer hours, but they must be compensated through overtime pay or time off.

2. Denmark: Flexibility and a 37-hour workweek

Danish employees generally work 37 hours per week, but the real hallmark of Denmark's labour practices is flexibility. Employees often have the option to arrange their working hours according to their personal needs, and the work culture promotes a strong work-life balance.

3. Germany: Reduced overtime and high productivity

The standard workweek in Germany is 35-40 hours. Germany’s productivity remains high despite fewer working hours, largely due to efficient work practices. Overtime is heavily regulated, with employees entitled to higher compensation or time off in lieu.

4. Netherlands: Part-time employment culture

The Netherlands has a culture of part-time work, especially among women. The workweek is around 29-30 hours on average, and labour laws ensure that part-time employees enjoy the same benefits as full-time workers.

5. Sweden: Six-hour workday experiment

In Sweden, several companies and municipal bodies have experimented with a six-hour workday while maintaining the same pay. While not widespread, these trials have shown that shorter working hours can increase productivity and employee satisfaction.

Why Tharoor is right: India has among the worst practices in working hours

1. Mexico: Long hours, low pay

Mexico has some of the longest working hours in the world, with an average workweek of 48 hours. Despite long hours, wages are relatively low, and many workers face poor working conditions. The lack of effective enforcement of labour laws exacerbates the situation.

2. South Korea: Overwork and mental health issues

South Korea is infamous for its long working hours, historically exceeding 60 hours per week in many industries. Although reforms were introduced in 2018 to cap the workweek at 52 hours (including overtime), the culture of overwork persists, contributing to mental health issues and burnout.

3. Japan: "Karoshi" (death from overwork)

Japan's work culture is notorious for promoting extreme dedication to work, leading to high levels of overtime. "Karoshi," or death from overwork, became a recognized issue in Japan, forcing the government to pass legislation to limit overtime to 100 hours per month. However, enforcement remains a challenge.

4. China: The "996" culture

In China, particularly in the tech industry, the "996" work culture refers to working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. This practice, though illegal under China’s labour laws (which mandate a 44-hour workweek), is common in startups and tech firms, leading to significant health and work-life balance concerns.

5. India: Weak enforcement of labour laws

While India's labour laws cap the workweek at 48 hours, with a daily limit of 9 hours, the enforcement of these regulations is often lax. Many workers in informal sectors and unregulated industries work far longer hours with limited access to overtime pay or benefits.

Labour laws on working hours in different countries

1. United States

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) mandates a standard 40-hour workweek. Employees working over 40 hours are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate. However, this applies only to non-exempt employees, leaving many salaried and managerial workers without overtime protection.

2. European Union

The EU Working Time Directive limits working hours to 48 per week, including overtime, with a minimum of 11 consecutive hours of rest per day. Workers are also entitled to at least four weeks of paid annual leave.

3. Australia

Australia’s Fair Work Act limits the standard workweek to 38 hours, with additional hours allowed under reasonable circumstances. Overtime compensation, either in the form of extra pay or time off, is mandated.

4. India

The Factories Act of 1948 limits the workweek to 48 hours, with daily work hours capped at 9. Overtime is to be paid at twice the normal wage. However, enforcement remains an issue, particularly in unorganized sectors.

5. South Korea

South Korea introduced reforms in 2018 to limit the workweek to 52 hours: 40 regular hours plus 12 hours of overtime. This is a significant reduction from previous norms but remains higher than many OECD countries.

6. Japan

Labour laws in Japan set a 40-hour workweek, with overtime permitted only under specific conditions. Despite these laws, many workers put in much longer hours due to societal pressures and corporate culture.

7. Brazil

Brazil’s labour laws cap the workweek at 44 hours, with a maximum of 8 hours per day. Overtime is permitted but must be paid at a rate of 1.5 times the regular salary.

8. China

Chinese labour laws allow a 44-hour workweek, with a maximum of 8 hours per day. Overtime is permitted but should not exceed 36 hours per month. However, in many sectors, these laws are ignored.

The world’s working hours reflect a balance between economic demands, cultural values, and legal protections. Best practices focus on balancing work efficiency with employee well-being, while the worst often stem from unregulated labour markets or entrenched cultural norms. Countries with more protective labour laws, such as France, Denmark, and Germany, generally report higher productivity and better quality of life for workers, while those with poor enforcement or exploitative practices, like Mexico, South Korea, and India, struggle with burnout, low wages, and social costs.