The recent controversy surrounding L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's proposal for 90-hour workweeks, including Sundays, has reignited the debate on excessive working hours and their impact on employee well-being.
While the ILO Declaration of Philadelphia emphasises the right to pursue well-being and spiritual growth, working hours vary drastically across the globe. The WHO and ILO have identified excessive working hours as a major public health concern, linked to increased occupational disease burdens.
Countries with the Longest Working Hours:
| Rank | Country | Average Hours per Week | Share of Employed Working ≥ 49 Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhutan | 54.4 | 61% |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates | 50.9 | 39% |
| 3 | Lesotho | 50.4 | 36% |
| 4 | Congo | 48.6 | 45% |
| 5 | Qatar | 48.0 | 29% |
| 6 | Liberia | 47.7 | 27% |
| 7 | Mauritania | 47.6 | 46% |
| 8 | Lebanon | 47.6 | 38% |
| 9 | Mongolia | 47.3 | 33% |
| 10 | Jordan | 47.0 | 34% |
Source: Wages and Working Time Statistics (COND) Database, ILOSTAT
Countries with the Shortest Working Hours:
| Rank | Country | Average Hours Per Week | Share of Employed Working ≥ 49 Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanuatu | 24.7 | 4% |
| 2 | Kiribati | 27.3 | 10% |
| 3 | Micronesia | 30.4 | 2% |
| 4 | Rwanda | 30.4 | 12% |
| 5 | Somalia | 31.4 | 10% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 31.6 | 6% |
| 7 | Iraq | 31.7 | 5% |
| 8 | Wallis and Futuna Islands | 31.8 | 6% |
| 9 | Ethiopia | 31.9 | 15% |
| 10 | Canada | 32.1 | 9% |
Source: Wages and Working Time Statistics (COND) Database, ILOSTAT
India's Position
India ranks 13th among countries with the longest working hours, with an average of 46.7 hours per week. A staggering 51% of the Indian workforce works 49 or more hours weekly.
As the workforce grapples with the demands of modern work, prioritising employee well-being and fostering a healthy work environment is crucial for both individual and organisational success.
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