Last Updated:December 23, 2024, 14:02 IST

Narayana Murthy has repeatedly advocated 70-hour workweek in India, expressing his disappointment over departure to a five-day workweek.

Karti Chidambaram and Narayana Murthy (PTI Image)

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has criticised Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s views on “work-life balance” and his firm stance on a 70-hour workweek, stating that the people’s “focus should be on efficiency”.

He also batted for a 4-day working week, advocating work-life balance and calling it “most important for “good social order”.

What Did Narayana Murthy Say?

His remarks came after Murthy said that he was “disappointed” with India’s shift from a six-day workweek to a five-day workweek in 1986. He has time and again called for a 70-hour workweek, justifying his opinion, stating that the development of India requires sacrifice and not relaxation.

He had mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 100-hour workweeks to back his views.

“When Prime Minister Modi is putting in such relentless effort, the best way to express our gratitude for the progress around us is by matching his dedication with our own hard work,” he said at an event last month.

He had also said that he maintained a 14-hour work-day schedule for six-and-a-half days a week.

Chidambaram Reacts

The Congress MP described long work hours as “meaningless”, stating that people should focus on “efficiency”.

“Working longer is meaningless, focus should be on efficiency. Daily life is as it is a struggle, battling inefficient & substandard infrastructure & amenities. Work life balance is most important for good social order & harmony. We should infact move to a 4 day working week. 12 noon on Monday to 2 pm on Friday.,” he posted on X on Sunday.