After `70-hour' row, Modi fan Narayana Murthy now bats for 6-day week

Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy has advocated for a six-day workweek nationwide. His contention comes after he kicked up a huge controversy erupted over his advocacy for a 70-hour workweek. 

Murthy said he regretted having shifted from a six-day to a five-day workweek in 1986. “I am sorry, I have not changed my view. I will take this with me to my grave," Murthy said while expressing his view on a six-day workweek at the CNBC Global Leadership Summit. Murthy praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reportedly working 100 hours a week.

“When PM Modi is working 100 hours a week, the only way to show our appreciation for the things that are happening around us is by our work,” Murthy said.

Netizens hit back 

However, netizens have disagreed with his views. Several social media users criticised Murthy's stance on Instagram and X.

One user commented on Instagram, “The man doesn’t know about work-life balance because he doesn’t have to cook, clean his house, drive him to office, purchase groceries, I don’t think even he would have booked a flight ticket by himself in the past 10-20 years.”

Another said:  “There is nothing wrong about your opinion sir, and it is fine that you expect everyone to do that. I repeat, you can just expect, but can't force or dictate people to follow yours or any other's idealogy.”

“While I do not disagree, I will work 6 days a week when my employer treats me as a human and not an object. It has to be worth it. Else you will end up burning yourself and making another CEO earn multi-millions,” said another user on Instagram.

“We only have one life; working hard is good, we must work hard. But in the end, the moto of working hard is to enjoy our life. I'm sorry I won't agree with you,” added another user.

Some social media users also pointed out the need to pay according to working hours. "I don't think anyone minds doing hard work if they get a fair return on their work - in terms of salary, fair taxation, good infra, clean cities, less corruption, tamed inflation, decent healthcare, and education. As of now, it's all one-sided,” commented one user on X.

“If we work 7 days per week he'll be so happy  You're giving just a salary. Is any profit shared with the employees?"

Don't make us `work-alcoholic'

Beware of such guys who put society to Work alcoholic due to their self-benefit,” added another user. One user said, “If I am paid enough then I am ready to work for you for however long you wish but that's not the case. Most folks in India are not paid enough.”

“Priorities are different for different people, some want to work 80 hours a week and other people want to enjoy life with less income, both are equally right,” wrote another user on X.

(By arrangement with livemint.com)