Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment
GS Paper 4 – Work Ethics
Source
The Hindu,31/10/2023
Application: where to apply?
When asked about
– Labour productivity in India
– Challenges of longer working hours
– Benefits of longer working hours
– Economic, Social, and Environmental perspective of increased working hours
– Work Ethics
Context
N.R. Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, sparked a debate by suggesting that young Indians should work 70 hours a week.
Content
How many hours does an average young Indian work at present?
- According to the Time Use Survey conducted in India in 2019, a person aged 15-29 spends over 7.2 hours a day in employment and related activities in rural areas and 8.5 hours a day in urban areas.
- As per a state-wise comparison, urban dwellers in Uttarakhand work the longest hours per day, averaging 9.6 hours of work.
Global Trend of working hours
Source:https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/working-time/
India’s work productivity or labour productivity
- Labour productivity is measured as GDP per hour of work.
- India’s average annual working hours stayed above 2,000 from 1970 to 2020, while the labour productivity increased marginally from $2 per hour to $9 in the same period.
- India’s labour productivity is difficult to measure accurately, as most of the workforce (89%) is engaged in informal employment, unlike Germany (4.2%) and Japan (8%).
- The huge difference in the nature of the labour force among India, Germany and Japan raises the question of whether they are comparable in terms of work hours and productivity.
Source:https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/labour-productivity/
Need of long working hours for Indians
- Indians need to work long hours to meet the demands of a competitive global market and to overcome the challenges of poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment.
- The average income of workers in India is low compared to other countries, which limits their purchasing power and savings potential.So long working hours can enhance their income.
- India needs to increase its labour productivity, which is currently low due to factors such as lack of education, skills, technology, and infrastructure.
- India’s large youth population can be utilized fully with an efficient work culture.
Issues of longer working hours
- Longer work hours mean less time for sports and leisure activities, which are essential for physical and mental well-being.
- Working for long hours can have negative effects on workers’ health, happiness, and work-life balance etc.
- Burnout (a state of physical and mental exhaustion), reduced job satisfaction, and a loss of motivation and enthusiasm are other problems of long working hours.
- Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
- Obesity, which can result from fast food consumption, irregular meal timings, and hormonal imbalances.
- Musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain, neck pain, and joint pain, due to prolonged sitting and lack of exercise.
- Mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
- Emotional problems, such as detachment from work and personal life, low self-esteem, and reduced sense of accomplishment.
- Sleep disturbances, which can affect the quality and quantity of sleep and impair cognitive functions.
- Studies have shown that productivity declines significantly after 50 hours of work per week and drops sharply after 55 hours. Moreover, working without taking at least one full day off each week can lead to a decrease in overall hourly output.
Benefits of longer working hours
- Increasing earnings: Working overtime can lead to higher income for employees and mutual benefit for employers.
- Delivering results: Working long hours can help complete more tasks and achieve goals faster.
- Enhancing skills: Working long hours can provide opportunities to learn new skills, improve existing ones and gain more experience.
- Building relationships: Working long hours can foster teamwork, collaboration and communication among colleagues.
- Advancing career: Working long hours can increase the chances of getting recognition, promotion and career growth.
Legislation related to working hours
Factories Act, 1948
- The Factories Act, 1948 lays down all the provisions concerning the working hours in a factory which includes daily and weekly working hours, intervals for rest and extra wages for overtime.
- As per the Factories Act 1948, every adult cannot work for more than 48 hours in a week and not more than 9 hours in a day.
- Under Sec. 59 it is mentioned that where a worker works in a factory for more than 9 hours in any day or for more than 48 hours in any week, he/she shall, in respect of overtime work, be entitled to receive wages at the rate of twice his/her ordinary rate of wages.
- Section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948 imposes restriction on employment of women to work between 7.00 pm to 6.00 am.
The Minimum Wages Act,1948
- The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 also specifies about the working hours under the rules 20 to 25 that the number of work hours in a day should not exceed 9 hours for an adult.
- Any worker whose minimum rate of wages is fixed with the wage period of time, such as by hour, by the day or by any such period and if a worker works more than that number of hours, it is considered to be overtime.
- In case if the number of hours constituting a normal working day exceeds the given limit, then the employer will have to pay him for every hour or for part of an hour for which he has worked in excess at the overtime rate.
An Ethical Perspective
“Work is worship”(Proverb)
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” : Mahatma Gandhi
Work Ethics
- Work ethics are the set of moral principles, values, and attitudes that guide how one behaves and performs at work.
- They reflect one’s commitment to professional integrity, excellence, and teamwork.
- Work ethics involve being honest, ethical, and reliable in all professional dealings.
- It involves striving for excellence and taking pride in one’s work.
- Working effectively with others to achieve common goals is also a part of work ethics
- Work ethics are crucial for success as they drive productivity, foster employee satisfaction, and enhance a company’s reputation.
Challenges of longer working hours: An Ethical Perspective
- Health effects of long working hours: Working long hours can impair the workers’ quality of life, productivity, and safety, as well as impose a burden on the health care system and society. Therefore, working long hours can be considered unethical from a human rights and public health perspective.
- Work-life balance: Working long hours can also interfere with the workers’ ability to balance their personal and professional lives.
- Gender based Inequalities:Longer working long hours can create gender-based inequalities, as women often bear more responsibilities for domestic and care work than men. Therefore, working long hours can be considered unethical from a social justice and gender equality perspective.
- Productivity: Working long hours does not necessarily mean working more efficiently or effectively. Therefore, working long hours can be considered unethical from a performance and quality perspective.
- Social justice: Working long hours can also reflect the unequal distribution of power and resources in the society. Some workers may work long hours voluntarily because they enjoy their work or want to earn more income or advance their careers.This can create a situation where some workers are overworked while others are underemployed or unemployed. Therefore, working long hours can be considered unethical from a fairness and solidarity perspective.
A Historical perspective
Eight-Hour Day
- The eight-hour day was a social movement to limit the working hours of workers in factories and other industries.
- The movement also influenced the celebration of May Day and Labour Day in some countries.
- The idea of an eight-hour work day originated in Spain in the 16th century.
- The Industrial Revolution in Britain increased the demand for shorter working hours, as workers faced long and exhausting days of up to 16 hours, six days a week, and child labour was widespread.
- Robert Owen, a “socialist” entrepreneur, advocated for a ten-hour day in 1810 and implemented it in his factory at New Lanark.
- He later proposed an eight-hour day with the slogan: “Eight hours’ labour, Eight hours’ recreation, Eight hours’ rest”.
An Economic Perspective of longer hours of work
| (+) | (-) |
| Increase the total output produced per worker or per firm, which can contribute to economic growth and development . | Increased inequality and exploitation as working long hours can widen the gap between high-income and low-income workers. |
| Increase the earnings of workers, especially if they are paid overtime or receive higher hourly rates for working longer hours . | Reduce the demand for labour and employment opportunities, as fewer workers are needed to produce the same output. |
| Increase the savings of workers, which can be used for future consumption or investment. | Higher healthcare costs and social costs as working long hours can increase the health risk.. |
| Higher human capital and social capital | Reduce the demand for goods and services, especially those related to leisure, entertainment, health, and education. |
A social Perspective
- Social Polarization: The gap between the rich and the poor can widen when people work for long hours. This can lead to social divisions and conflicts.
- Social Isolation: Working too much can make people lose touch with their friends and community. They may have less time to socialize and participate in civic activities.
- Family Breakdown: Spending more time at work means having less time for family. This can affect the quality of relationships and the well-being of family members.
A Feminist perspective of long working hours
- Women work longer hours than men when both paid and unpaid work are considered.(WEF report)
- Women face more health risks from working long hours than men(WHO studies)
- Women bear more responsibility for domestic work and care work than men, which adds to their longer hours of work.
- Women have less support from their employers, families, and society than men for balancing their work and personal lives.
- Thus long working hours disproportionately affect women more than men.
An Environmental Perspective
- Longer working hours can increase environmental impact and resource depletion.
- Working long hours can increase the environmental impact and resource depletion caused by economic activity, as more energy, materials, water, land, etc., are used to produce more output.
- This can increase the greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, waste, biodiversity loss, etc., that result from production and consumption.
- It can also reduce the opportunities for more efficient use of resources and more sustainable development practices.
Japan – A Case Study
- A case study was done by Microsoft Japan in 2019.
- They implemented a four-day workweek for their employees, giving them Fridays off, while maintaining their full salaries.
- They also encouraged them to reduce the time and frequency of meetings and emails.
- The results showed that the employees were more productive, efficient, and creative, as well as happier and less stressed.
- The company also saved on electricity and paper costs, reducing its environmental impact.
- This case study demonstrates that working less hours can foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, as well as a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Indian Work culture
- Late to work: Indian workers tend to have a flexible attitude towards punctuality and deadlines.
- Long Tea Breaks:Tea breaks are seen as an opportunity to network and build relationships with clients, customers, and business partners. Tea breaks are usually informal and casual, but they can also be used for discussing important matters and making decisions.
- No work after 5 pm : After 5 pm, most government offices close down and stop working, regardless of the pending tasks or urgent requests.
Conclusion
To maintain a high level of well-being and productivity in the long run, it is vital to know our boundaries and value a work-life balance that meets the rights and needs of everyone involved. Foster a work culture that supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle for all stakeholders.
Reference
- WHO: Working long hours is a ‘serious health hazard’
- How to Develop a Strong Work Ethic
- Longer working hours do not mean higher profits, say economists
- Work is still measured in hours than outcome
- No, Narayana Murthy. It’s not okay to work 70 hours a week. Here is why
Practice Question
You are a civil servant working in a department that is facing a severe staff shortage due to a pandemic. You have been assigned to handle multiple tasks that require long hours of work and constant attention. You are also a single parent of two young children who need your care and support. How will you balance your professional and personal responsibilities in this situation? Discuss the ethical issues involved and suggest some measures to cope with the stress and workload. (250 words)