Concerns raised on Work-Life Balance in India after death of an Ernst & Young employee | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
News Today Logo

Concerns raised on Work-Life Balance in India after death of an Ernst & Young employee

Posted 21 Sep 2024

2 min read

According to International Labour Organization (ILO), India has emerged as one of the most overworked countries globally. 

Key findings of ILO

  • After Bhutan, India has ranked second for share of employed working 49 or more hours per week (51% in India). 
  • Pacific Island nations like Vanuatu, Kiribati and Micronesia with average 24.7, 27.3, and 30.4 working hours per week.
    • Average working hours per week in India are around 46.7 hours

Factors contributing to lack of work-life balance 

  • Remote work: Technology and Covid-19 pandemic provided impetus to work from home, resulting in indefinite working hours.
  • Gender bias in family responsibilities: Only 32% of women reported maintaining work-life balance (IIM-A).
  • Industry's focus on counting hours rather than measuring productivity.
  • Informal Economy: More uneven distribution of hours of work.

Impact of long working hours

  • Health: Increased working hours comes with higher risk of stroke, stress and affects mental well-being.
  • Productivity: Enterprises experience negative externalities, including lower productivity levels and absenteeism.
  • Social impact: Less engagement in community and civic life. 

Steps that can be taken for work-life balance

  • Limit working hours like a 40-hour workweek in Iceland, Spain, the UK, etc. and promote wellness programs
  • Right to Disconnect: Countries like France and Australia have introduced right to refuse work-related contact outside working hours. 

 

Legal Provisions related to working hours

  • ILO’s Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919: Working hours of persons employed shall not exceed 8 in the day and 48 in the week.
  • Indian Factories Act, 1948: No adult worker shall be allowed to work for more than 48 hours in any week.
  • Weekly Holidays Act, 1942: Grants weekly holidays to employed.
  • Tags :
  • ILO
  • Work-life balance
  • Indian Factories Act, 1948
Watch News Today