What Economic Survey says on 60-hour workweek
What's the story
The Economic Survey 2024-25 has highlighted the health risks of working over 60 hours a week.
This comes amid a raging debate sparked by business leaders pushing for longer workweeks.
The survey referenced studies that showed adverse health effects when work hours go over 55-60 a week, citing research by Pega F, Nafradi B (2021) and a World Health Organization-International Labour Organization joint study on work-related health risks.
Mental health
Long work hours linked to higher distress levels
The survey also observed that people working more than 12 hours a day are more distressed.
A Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain and Mind study found that such people have lower mental well-being.
"Individuals who spend 12 or more hours at a desk have distressed/struggling levels of mental well-being, with a mental well-being score approximately 100 points lower than those who spend less than or equal to two hours at a desk," the survey said.
Burnout risk
Business leaders warn against longer working hours
The debate over work hours heated up after Larsen & Toubro Chairman and Managing Director SN Subrahmanyan recently suggested that staff work 90-hour weeks, including Sundays, rather than staying at home.
Unlike Subrahmanyan, RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka warned against longer working hours, calling it "a recipe for burnout, not success."
Similarly, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra stressed the importance quality over quantity.
"It's not the number of hours you put in but the quality of work that counts."
Labor laws
New labor laws aim for flexible regulations
The survey mentioned that globally, depression and anxiety cause the loss of 12 billion workdays annually, resulting in a financial loss of nearly $1 trillion.
It emphasized that if India is to meet its economic goals, immediate attention must be paid to lifestyle choices made during childhood and youth.
"Hostile work cultures and excessive hours at the desk can adversely affect mental well-being and ultimately put the brakes on the pace of economic growth," it warned.
Regulatory flexibility
Need for flexible working hour regulations
The survey also spoke about new labor laws for flexible regulations to enhance firm growth and employment opportunities.
Citing Section 51 of the Factories Act (1948), the survey said this section limits the number of hours a worker can work.
"No adult worker shall be required or allowed to work in a factory for more than 48 hours in any week," the clause reads.
"Promoting flexible working hours...can lead to growth for firms, creating more employment opportunities," the government said.