L&T Chief Sparks Row, Says Indian Labourers Unwilling to Work Chairman SN Subrahmanyan has sparked another controversy, this time over workers’ reluctance to relocate, citing the influence of government welfare schemes. This follows his recent 90-hour workweek remark, which ignited debate on work-life balance.
Speaking at the CII’s Mystic South Global Linkages Summit 2025 in Chennai on Tuesday, Subrahmanyan noted that the construction industry is struggling to find workers willing to move from their hometowns, attributing this to a preference for comfort. He suggested that schemes like MGNREGA, direct benefit transfers, and JAN DHAN accounts might be affecting labour mobility.
L&T Chairman Sparks New Debate on Labour Mobility
“Labour is unwilling to move for opportunities. He suggested that a strong local economy or government schemes might be contributing to workers’ reluctance to relocate. He warned that a labour shortage could impact India’s infrastructure development.
Mr. Subrahmanyan also highlighted India’s migration challenge, noting that while L&T needs 4 lakh workers, it hires 16 lakh due to high attrition. He emphasized the need to adjust wages in line with inflation. Mentioning that the Middle East attracts Indian workers with salaries 3 to 3.5 times higher.
Last month, the L&T Chairman stirred controversy by suggesting employees should work on Sundays. “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working,” he remarked, adding that he himself works on Sundays.
His statement sparked a broader debate, with industry leaders like Adar Poonawalla, Anand Mahindra. ITC’s Sanjiv Puri supporting work-life balance for better productivity.
The issue reached Parliament, where the government confirmed last week that it has no plans to extend the maximum working hours to 70 or 90 per week. This discussion was further fueled by last Friday’s pre-Budget Economic Survey, which cited studies warning of health risks associated with working over 60 hours a week.
The survey emphasized that prolonged working hours can be detrimental to mental well-being. It pointed out that individuals who spend excessive time at their desks are more likely to experience stress and psychological distress.
Specifically, the report noted that those working 12 or more hours per day often face significant mental health struggles, reinforcing concerns about the negative effects of excessive work hours.
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