India is 2nd among world’s most overworked nations: ILO report

India is among the world’s most overworked countries, latest data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows. The nation is second in the world in terms of extended working hours, with 51 per cent of its workforce logging more than 49 hours every week. On an average, Indians spend 46.7 hours at work every week, the ILO data adds.

South Asian nations feature prominently in the ILO list, and Bhutan emerges at the top with 61 per cent working for more than 49 hours every week. India (51 per cent) is second, while Bangladesh (47 per cent) and Pakistan (40 per cent) also feature among the top 10 overworked countries.

The United Arab Emirates, or UAE, (39 per cent) and Lesotho (36 per cent) are also among nations where the workforce logs in extended working hours on a weekly basis.

OCEANIA NATIONS HAVE THE BEST WORK CULTURE

In contrast to Bhutan or India is the Pacific nation of Vanuatu, where only 4 per cent of the workforce toil beyond 49 hours every week. The Oceania nation has the lowest average working hours for its employees, at 24.7 hours per week.

The Oceania nations, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia, with average working hours of 27.3 and 30.4 respectively, are other countries on the ILO list where work culture is among the least strenuous in the world.

In the West, The Netherlands (31.6 hours) and Norway (33.7 hours) are among nations with the most balanced work-life culture, with less taxing working hours on a weekly basis.

Among developed nations, Germany (34.2 hours), Japan (36.6 hours), and Singapore (42.6 hours) have better averages of extended working hours compared to the South Asian countries.