In India, the debate over long working hours is nothing new. It has been going on for years and has gained attention once again, especially among those entering the workforce for the first time. Now, it’s back in the spotlight after Narayana Murthy mentioned China’s intense 9-9-6 work culture. But what exactly is 9-9-6, and why are so many Indians strongly against it? Scroll down to find out.
Narayana Murthy Suggests India Follows China’s 9-9-6
While talking to Republic TV, Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, emphasised the importance of hard work for progress. He referred to China’s much-talked about 9-9-6 work culture, explaining that it involves working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, which in short is a 72 work week. According to The Free Press Journal, he also believes that Indians should follow this format as it can make a great impact on India’s progress.
China’s 9-9-6 works culture became well-known to everyone back in 2010, especially in the tech industry. It was used to encourage employees to work 72 hours and to stay ahead in the competition. Some leaders called working 72 hours a sign of dedication. However, while following the 9-9-6 work culture, employees complained about burnout, health problems, and extreme exhaustion. According to employees, working for long hours was exploitative and impossible to sustain. Young professionals especially criticised the idea of glorifying nonstop work.
Public backlash eventually led to legal intervention. In 2021, China’s Supreme Court officially banned the 9-9-6 system, ruling that excessive overtime violated labour laws. While some companies still informally encourage long hours.
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Indians Against 72-Hour Work Week
According to The Free Press Journal, before his recent statement on 72 working hours in India, the Infosys founder had already sparked debate back in 2023 when he suggested a 70-hour work week. According to him, long working hours can help young professionals to drive rapid economic and technological progress. His statements sparked renewed discussions about working long hours, how productive people are, and the stress of staying competitive in the global market.
Murthy’s remarks have reignited a broader conversation in India about work culture and productivity. Many netizens took to social media to question how much effort is truly reasonable, and how the country can pursue growth without compromising workers’ health and well-being.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Flickr/British High Commission & Canva Pro/ Karola G (Representative Image)