Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has reiterated his stance on the work culture in Indian corporations, suggesting that young professionals in India should extend their working hours to foster growth and enhance competitiveness against advanced economies like China. Murthy drew parallels to China’s renowned 9-9-6 work ethic, commonly practiced by various Chinese tech firms during their rapid expansion phase.
In a recent statement, Murthy referenced China’s historical dedication to hard work and extended hours, echoing his previous call in 2023 for Indians to commit to a 70-hour work week. He emphasized the need for India to emulate China’s work discipline to match its developmental pace.
The 9-9-6 model involves employees working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, totaling a 72-hour work week, significantly surpassing the typical 40–48 hour work week observed in many countries. This approach gained prominence in China as major tech giants like Alibaba and Huawei, along with numerous fast-growing startups, believed that prolonged work hours were crucial for innovation, rapid expansion, and staying ahead in the global market.
While advocates of the 9-9-6 system credited it for driving China’s substantial growth in the 2010s, critics raised concerns about burnout, stress, and an unhealthy lifestyle. Despite China’s Supreme Court deeming the practice illegal in 2021, reports suggest that several companies continue to unofficially follow this regime.
In the pursuit of technological supremacy and market dominance, some U.S. startups in Silicon Valley have also adopted a similar intense work culture. Reports indicate that certain AI startups expect employees to exceed 70 hours per week, with job postings explicitly inquiring about candidates’ willingness to commit to extended hours.
Murthy justified his stance by highlighting India’s lag behind China in economic prowess and productivity, stressing the necessity for consistent and disciplined efforts to bridge the gap. He emphasized the need for Indian youth to embrace a similar work ethic seen during China’s growth era, prioritizing hard work over discussions on work-life balance.
According to Murthy, India has the potential to reach China’s economic stature if all sectors of society – citizens, government, businesses, and leaders – uphold high standards and operate with determination and efficiency. His remarks have sparked mixed reactions in India, with some supporting the idea of extended work hours to boost productivity and competitiveness, while others advocate for a balanced approach that considers employee well-being, flexibility, and overall efficiency in modern workplaces.