Narayana Murthy Is Touting China's 9-9-6 Rule; But Even China Has Declared It Illegal! | Job | Work

Summary

Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy has reignited the debate on work culture by advocating for a 70-72 hour work week for young Indians, suggesting that hard work is essential for national growth. He defended his stance by referencing China's 996 work culture, despite the system's recent ban due to its negative effects. Critics argue that such long hours lead to burnout, stagnant wages, and reduced quality of life. Murthy emphasized the importance of setting high aspirations, drawing attention to India’s poverty and the responsibility of those in privileged positions to lead by example.

Takeaways

• 😀 Narayan Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, has reignited a debate by advocating for Indians to work 70-72 hours a week to accelerate the country's growth.
• 😀 Murthy insists that young Indians must prioritize hard work over work-life balance, arguing that no community or nation has ever progressed without significant effort.
• 😀 He referenced the 996 work culture in China (9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 6 days a week) as an example of intense work commitment that he believes should be embraced by Indians.
• 😀 Critics argue that the 996 system in China has been declared illegal due to its negative effects, including burnout, health risks, and even deaths.
• 😀 Murthy’s comments sparked concerns about stagnant salaries, the rising cost of living, and the absence of overtime pay in India, all of which contribute to employee burnout without adequate compensation.
• 😀 Critics also point to European countries that have a more balanced work culture (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 5 days a week) while maintaining a high standard of living.
• 😀 Murthy justifies his remarks by emphasizing that China’s workforce is more productive (3.5 times more) than India’s, suggesting that the difference in productivity is a key barrier to India’s growth.
• 😀 He believes that it’s not enough to have national aspirations limited to India and advocates for global competitiveness to learn from the best companies worldwide.
• 😀 Murthy stresses the importance of leaders setting high aspirations and working hard to inspire employees, taking personal responsibility for boosting productivity.
• 😀 In his view, working hard is necessary to lift the country out of poverty, highlighting the plight of the 800 million poor people in India who receive free rations as evidence of the country’s economic challenges.

Q & A

What did Narayan Murthy propose regarding working hours for young Indians?

Narayan Murthy proposed that young Indians should work 70 to 72 hours a week if the country wants to grow faster, citing China's '996' work culture (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) as a model.

What is the '996' work culture, and how did Murthy reference it?

The '996' work culture refers to a work schedule where employees work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, totaling 72 hours. Murthy referenced this as an example of a highly productive work culture that contributes to national growth.

How did critics respond to Murthy's comments on long working hours?

Critics pointed out several issues, including the fact that the 996 system has been banned in China due to its negative effects on workers' health, such as burnout and even deaths. They also raised concerns about stagnant wages, rising costs of living, and the lack of overtime compensation.

What did Murthy say about work-life balance?

Murthy argued that the focus should first be on getting a life, implying that hard work should take precedence over concerns about work-life balance. He suggested that no community or country has ever succeeded without hard work.

How did Murthy justify the need for hard work in India?

Murthy justified his stance by emphasizing the need to improve productivity and national growth. He stated that India must catch up with countries like China, where workers are more productive, and that hard work is necessary to lift the less fortunate out of poverty.

What was Murthy's view on comparing Indian productivity with that of Chinese workers?

Murthy noted that Chinese workers are 3.5 times more productive than Indian workers, as told to him by a gentleman. He suggested that Indians must work harder to increase their productivity and close this gap.

What concerns did critics raise about the impact of long working hours on employees?

Critics expressed concerns about burnout, mental health issues, and a lack of family time due to long working hours. They also pointed out that despite the grueling work schedules, employees may not see proportional returns in terms of pay or job satisfaction.

How does Murthy view the role of business leaders in driving productivity?

Murthy believes that business leaders must set an example by working hard, inspiring their employees, and fostering confidence and enthusiasm. He feels it is their responsibility to lead by example and increase the productivity of their teams.

How do European work cultures compare to the model proposed by Murthy?

European countries typically have a more balanced work culture, such as a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. workday with weekends off. Critics argue that these countries manage to achieve high productivity while maintaining a healthier work-life balance, contrasting with Murthy’s emphasis on long working hours.

What are some of the broader societal issues that Murthy touched on in his argument for hard work?

Murthy referred to the poverty in India, mentioning that 800 million Indians receive free rations and that the country is still considered poor. He argued that those who are fortunate should work hard to help uplift the less fortunate and contribute to national growth.