RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh Goenka has reignited the debate over India's work culture after suggesting that Indians' willingness to work late and through weekends gives the country an advantage over many European nations. Goenka shared his views on X after posting a clip of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal speaking about how Indians approach their jobs. While Goyal appeared to make the observation in a light-hearted manner, Goenka said it carried a serious message about India's work ethic. "Minister Piyush Goyal may say it jokingly, but there's a serious point here," Goenka wrote. He added that in much of Europe, the final meeting of the working week is over by 4 pm on Friday. In contrast, Indians are often willing to stay late into the night or work through weekends when professional demands require it. "It's a work ethic that gives India an edge," he said. — hvgoenka (@hvgoenka) The post has brought a familiar question back into focus: Does India's willingness to put in longer hours make its workforce more competitive, or does it reflect the pressure employees face to keep working beyond regular hours? Live Events Ashneer Grover says it is 'majboori', not work ethic Not everyone agreed with Goenka's assessment. Former BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover offered a different interpretation, suggesting that the willingness to work longer hours often stems from necessity rather than choice. "Sir usko majboori bolte hai," Grover replied. His response highlighted a key distinction in the debate. While some said that flexibility and a willingness to put in extra hours are qualities that help businesses grow, others argued that employees may have little choice when faced with demanding workplaces, limited bargaining power or pressure to meet expectations. The discussion also raised questions about compensation. Some users questioned why employees should work longer hours if the additional effort does not translate into better salaries or other benefits. Critics of long-hours culture argued that companies can benefit from extended working days without necessarily rewarding employees in proportion to their contribution. Supporters, meanwhile, point to the demands of global business, where teams may need to work across time zones and respond quickly to clients. Harsh Goenka has previously backed 70-hour work week This is not the first time Goenka has weighed in on the debate over working hours. Last year, he responded to discussions surrounding suggestions by Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy and Larsen & Toubro chairman SN Subrahmanyan about longer working weeks. Murthy had advocated a 70-hour work week, linking hard work with India's economic ambitions. Subrahmanyan also drew criticism after suggesting that employees should work on Sundays, saying he would have them do so if it were possible. The remarks triggered widespread debate about productivity, personal time and the responsibilities of employers. Many people questioned whether longer working hours were necessary for economic growth, while others argued that India needed greater commitment to compete internationally. — hvgoenka (@hvgoenka) Goenka initially took a more nuanced position on the issue. In a post responding to Subrahmanyan's comments, he questioned the idea of treating every day as a working day. "90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to 'Sun-duty' and make 'day off' a mythical concept!" he wrote. He added that he believed in working hard and smart but warned that turning life into a permanent office shift could lead to burnout. He also described work-life balance as essential rather than optional. In a separate discussion, however, Goenka defended the broader message behind calls for greater effort and ambition. He argued that the comments made by Murthy, Subrahmanyan and Goyal should be understood as directional rather than literal. His position was that India needed to think beyond immediate convenience and build businesses in sectors capable of competing globally. Piyush Goyal's remarks add another dimension to the debate Goyal has also spoken about the kind of businesses Indian entrepreneurs should pursue. In an earlier discussion about the startup ecosystem, he questioned whether the country's ambitions should be limited to businesses selling premium ice cream and cookies. He acknowledged that such ventures could be successful but asked whether they represented the larger future India should aim for. Goenka supported the broader argument that India needed more ambition in areas such as artificial intelligence, deep technology, robotics and clean energy. He said the country would need to build capabilities in sectors that could have a significant impact on its economic future. Long working hours versus work-life balance The debate over India's work culture often brings two competing priorities into conflict. Businesses want employees who can respond quickly, meet demanding deadlines and serve clients across time zones. Workers, meanwhile, want fair compensation, predictable time off and enough room for their lives outside the office. However, some say longer working hours don't automatically translate into higher productivity. The outcome also depends on the nature of the work, the resources available to employees and how effectively organisations use their time. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Goenka says long working hours gives India edge
RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh Goenka has reignited the debate over India's work culture after suggesting that Indians' willingness to work late and through weekends gives the country an advantage over many European nations. Goenka shared his views on X after posting a clip of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal speaking about how Indians approach their jobs. While Goyal appeared to make the observation in a light-hearted manner, Goenka said it carried a serious message about India's work ethic. "Minister Piyush Goyal may say it jokingly, but there's a serious point here," Goenka wrote. He added that in much of Europe, the final meeting of the working week is over by 4 pm on Friday. In contrast, Indians are often willing to stay late into the night or work through weekends when professional demands require it. "It's a work ethic that gives India an edge," he said. — hvgoenka (@hvgoenka) The post has brought a familiar question back into focus: Does India's willingness to put in longer hours make its workforce more competitive, or does it reflect the pressure employees face to keep working beyond regular hours? Live Events Ashneer Grover says it is 'majboori', not work ethic Not everyone agreed with Goenka's assessment. Former BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover offered a different interpretation, suggesting that the willingness to work longer hours often stems from necessity rather than choice. "Sir usko majboori bolte hai," Grover replied. His response highlighted a key distinction in the debate. While some said that flexibility and a willingness to put in extra hours are qualities that help businesses grow, others argued that employees may have little choice when faced with demanding workplaces, limited bargaining power or pressure to meet expectations. The discussion also raised questions about compensation. Some users questioned why employees should work longer hours if the additional effort does not translate into better salaries or other benefits. Critics of long-hours culture argued that companies can benefit from extended working days without necessarily rewarding employees in proportion to their contribution. Supporters, meanwhile, point to the demands of global business, where teams may need to work across time zones and respond quickly to clients. Harsh Goenka has previously backed 70-hour work week This is not the first time Goenka has weighed in on the debate over working hours. Last year, he responded to discussions surrounding suggestions by Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy and Larsen & Toubro chairman SN Subrahmanyan about longer working weeks. Murthy had advocated a 70-hour work week, linking hard work with India's economic ambitions. Subrahmanyan also drew criticism after suggesting that employees should work on Sundays, saying he would have them do so if it were possible. The remarks triggered widespread debate about productivity, personal time and the responsibilities of employers. Many people questioned whether longer working hours were necessary for economic growth, while others argued that India needed greater commitment to compete internationally. — hvgoenka (@hvgoenka) Goenka initially took a more nuanced position on the issue. In a post responding to Subrahmanyan's comments, he questioned the idea of treating every day as a working day. "90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to 'Sun-duty' and make 'day off' a mythical concept!" he wrote. He added that he believed in working hard and smart but warned that turning life into a permanent office shift could lead to burnout. He also described work-life balance as essential rather than optional. In a separate discussion, however, Goenka defended the broader message behind calls for greater effort and ambition. He argued that the comments made by Murthy, Subrahmanyan and Goyal should be understood as directional rather than literal. His position was that India needed to think beyond immediate convenience and build businesses in sectors capable of competing globally. Piyush Goyal's remarks add another dimension to the debate Goyal has also spoken about the kind of businesses Indian entrepreneurs should pursue. In an earlier discussion about the startup ecosystem, he questioned whether the country's ambitions should be limited to businesses selling premium ice cream and cookies. He acknowledged that such ventures could be successful but asked whether they represented the larger future India should aim for. Goenka supported the broader argument that India needed more ambition in areas such as artificial intelligence, deep technology, robotics and clean energy. He said the country would need to build capabilities in sectors that could have a significant impact on its economic future. Long working hours versus work-life balance The debate over India's work culture often brings two competing priorities into conflict. Businesses want employees who can respond quickly, meet demanding deadlines and serve clients across time zones. Workers, meanwhile, want fair compensation, predictable time off and enough room for their lives outside the office. However, some say longer working hours don't automatically translate into higher productivity. The outcome also depends on the nature of the work, the resources available to employees and how effectively organisations use their time. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read the full story at Economic Times.
