The billionaire demands a 72-hour working week. This idea caused a storm

Narayana Murthy, co-founder of the technology giant Infosys, returns to the narrative of a radical increase in working hours. His latest proposal assumes as many as 72 hours of work per week, which shifts the debate from the level of a discussion about productivity to a dispute about the limits of human dignity.

70 hours of work

In Murthy’s vision, the optimal model is six twelve-hour workdays, with only one day off for rest and private matters. He previously called for a 70-hour working week and emphasized that such a standard should be in force until the end of 2024. Already in 2023, he said: “My demand is for our young people to say: ‘This is my country, I want to work 70 hours a week. This is exactly what the Germans and Japanese did after World War II’.”

The paradox remains that Murthy himself does not live by the model he is trying to push. He is approaching 76 years of age, has been retired for a long time and does not experience the consequences of the regime he would like to impose on younger generations. His fortune is estimated in billions of dollars, and he has become a symbol of detachment from the realities of everyday work of most people employed in the Indian IT sector.

Indian company

Infosys, founded by Murthy in 1981, is among the largest technology companies in India. The company creates custom software and provides consulting services. The industry is already facing staff turnover, pressure and fierce competition, which is why the co-founder’s rhetoric is met with a cold reception. His demands do not gain real support either in the sector or among a wide group of employees.

For years, Murthy presented his idea as a universal model for the entire world. Over time, however, his message became more local – he moved the emphasis to India, which, in his opinion, should develop thanks to extended working hours and maximum limitation of free time. He does not explain why he abandoned his previous global ambitions.

Industry circles, economists and labor organizations emphasize that the proposed working week does not provide an obvious increase in productivity. Instead, they indicate the risk of burnout, more mistakes and deterioration of health. Public opposition is growing in India, and Murthy’s narrative is increasingly perceived as an attempt to strengthen the position of employers at the expense of employees.

The billionaire also refers to the example of China, where the “996” culture existed – working from 9:00 to 21:00 six days a week. However, it does not mention the mass protests, lawsuits against companies and court decisions that found the 996 an illegal model. Chinese regulations sided with workers, and society launched movements against excessive professional pressure.

China’s “Lying Flat” movement, known as tang ping, also grew out of this reality. It is a subculture that, in response to the pressure of success and overwork, promotes a minimalist lifestyle and giving up the race for prestige. It is a manifesto of opposition to the mode that Murthy proposes to his compatriots and proof that societies are beginning to instinctively defend the balance between work and private life.