Archive · 17 Jan 2026
India's Labour Codes Aim for Balance
India is talking about how many hours people should work.
Some leaders want very long hours, like 72 or 90 hours a week, saying it's good for the country.
But others say this is too much and can make people very tired and sick.
India's new labour codes say people should work no more than 48 hours a week, with extra pay for working more.
They also want to make sure workers have good conditions and protections.
Some people are worried that these rules might not be followed, especially in small companies.
The big question is whether India should focus on working a lot of hours or on making work better and more fair for everyone.
Indian industry leaders advocate for 72- or 90-hour workweeks, drawing parallels with China's 996 culture.
Research shows productivity drops sharply after 50 hours of work per week, with India's current average at 46 hours.
India's new labour codes cap the workweek at 48 hours, aligning with International Labour Organization standards.
The codes require overtime to be voluntary and paid at twice the normal wage, with expanded protections for workers.
Concerns exist about enforcement, especially in the unorganised sector and start-ups, with fears of increased job insecurity.
- Who
- Indian industry leaders, young workers, and the Indian government
- What
- Debate over work hours and the implementation of new labour codes
- When
- Ongoing, with recent focus on early 2025 data and new labour codes
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address issues of productivity, worker well-being, and economic growth
- Current Average Workweek in India
- 46 hours
- Proposed Maximum Workweek
- 48 hours
- Overtime Pay Rate
- Twice the normal wage
- Minimum Wage Coverage
- All sectors
- ESIC Coverage
- Expanded
- Commute-Related Accidents
- Recognized as workplace injuries
- Hiring and Firing Threshold
- Up to 300 employees without government approval