DNA Money Edit: Why it's vital to cap working hours

Indians are known to work for long hours, and working beyond office hours is regarded as a virtue. The first periodic labour force survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has shown that Indians devote one of the longest hours at work on an average compared to their global peers.

City workers spend an average 53-54 hours a week at work, well above the International Labour Organisation (ILO)-prescribed 48 hours a week. Indian men in urban areas worked for excruciatingly long hours – often stretching to 60-84 hours. 

The Factories Act of 1948 stipulates 48 hours of work in a week and for additional hours, the employer has to provide overtime wages. While factories continue to adhere to the rulebook, there is an untold deviation in the formal sector. On the flip side, lower wages compel workers in the informal sector, being outside the protection provided by labour laws, to work for excessive hours.

A recent survey by a global recruitment firm said over half of the Indian working professionals rate their current work-life balance average to be terrible. The situation is grim in some sectors such as business process outsourcing, information technology-enabled services and banking.

The government needs to introduce strict rules against exploitation of employers. Every individual should be able to enjoy a work-life balance. This is important for the sustainable development and growth of India Inc.