Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has strongly criticised recent calls by corporate leaders for longer work hours, questioning whether employees are being treated as humans or machines. In a post on X, Yadav argued that true economic progress should benefit everyone, not just a privileged few.
“…the common man’s question is that when the benefits of economic progress are reaped by only a select few, then whether the economy is worth 30 trillion or 100 trillion, what does it matter to the people? True economic justice says that everyone should share in the benefits of prosperity, but this is not possible under the BJP government,” he posted on X.
प्रिय यंग एम्प्लॉयीज़
जो लोग एम्प्लॉयीज़ को 90 घंटे काम करने की सलाह दे रहे हैं कहीं वो इंसान की जगह रोबोट की बात तो नहीं कर रहे हैं क्योंकि इंसान तो जज़्बात और परिवार के साथ जीना चाहता है।
और आम जनता का सवाल ये भी है कि जब अर्थव्यवस्था की प्रगति का फ़ायदा कुछ गिने चुने लोगों…
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 3, 2025
Taking a dig at corporate leaders advocating extended workweeks, Yadav also highlighted the role of the entertainment and film industry in boosting the economy. “These people probably do not realise that entertainment makes people feel refreshed, revived, and re-energised, which improves work quality,” he added.
Yadav’s remarks come in response to recent statements by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week to boost national productivity. Similarly, L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyam advocated for a 90-hour workweek, suggesting that employees should even give up Sundays for work.
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Akhilesh Yadav Says Work-Life Balance Can Foster A Mentally Healthy Environment
Challenging these corporate leaders, Yadav urged them to reflect on their own experiences.
“Those giving this advice today should place their hand on their heart and honestly say whether they followed such gruelling work schedules in their youth. If they truly worked 90 hours a week, why is our economy still struggling at this level?” the Samajwadi Party leader asked.
The Lok Sabha MP further argued that only a proper work-life balance can foster a mentally healthy environment where young people can be creative and productive, ultimately contributing to national and global progress.
Lashing out at the BJP, he asserted that reducing corruption within the party by even half would automatically lead to economic growth.
Yadav also reiterated the significance of the entertainment sector in national progress. “Entertainment refreshes and re-energises people, improving work quality. Those giving such advice probably do not realise this,” he said.
