The ongoing debate on work-life balance has been reignited by L&T Chairman S. N. Subrahmanyan’s comments on working 90 hours a week. This has brought attention to a new report by International Labour Organization (ILO) saying  that Indians are already among the most overworked employees in the world.

The report, published in September last year, is probably the latest available data on this matter. It indicated that Indians work an average of 46.7 hours per week, which is nearly half of the 90-hour workweek proposed by Subrahmanyan in an employee gathering.

The 40-50 hour workweek window is common in many countries, but India ranks second for long working hours, with over half (51%) of workers putting in 49 hours or more weekly, according to the report. Only Bhutan has higher numbers, with 61% working over 49 hours. Bhutan is the most overworked country, with workers averaging 54.4 hours a week.

 The United Arab Emirates (50.9 hours) and Lesotho (50.4 hours) are the only other countries where workers exceed 50 hours. In these countries, less than 40% of workers work over 49 hours weekly.Countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh have similar figures to India, but in Pakistan, fewer workers( about 40%) exceed the 49-hour workweek limit, which is lower than India’s proportion.

When discussing the country with the lowest working hours, Vanuatu, located in the southwestern Pacific, stands out with an average of 24.7 hours per week. According to the report, only 4% of its workforce works more than 49 hours.

In most developed and European countries, workers have a 40-hour workweek or less, with only a small percentage exceeding 49 hours, suggesting a better work-life balance.In the United States, workers average 38 hours per week, while in the United Kingdom, it’s 35 hours. In both countries, less than 15% work extended hours.

India’s Factories Act of 1948 sets the maximum working hours at 9 hours a day and 48 hours a week, in line with ILO standards. However, a recent report shows that many companies, including MNCs, bypass these laws, requiring employees to work up to 14 hours a day without additional pay. The law states that overtime should be paid at double the regular wage.

The work-life balance debate in India gained attention when Infosys co-founder N. R. Narayana Murthy proposed a 70-hour workweek in 2023. This discussion has been further highlighted by tragic incidents, such as the death of an EY employee, reportedly due to stress from long working hours. Subrahmanyan’s recent comments have likely reignited the debate.