Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan has once again found himself at the centre of a heated debate—this time over labourer mobility and government welfare schemes. This comes just weeks after his contentious remark about a 90-hour work week ignited discussions on work-life balance.
Speaking at the CII’s Mystic South Global Linkages Summit 2025 in Chennai on Tuesday, Subrahmanyan highlighted the growing reluctance of workers to relocate for construction jobs. He attributed this to an increasing preference for comfort, facilitated by government welfare initiatives such as MGNREGA, direct benefit transfers, and JAN DHAN accounts.
“Labour is not willing to move for opportunities. Maybe their local economy is doing well, maybe it is due to the various government schemes,” he stated, expressing concern that this trend could impede India’s infrastructure development.
Labourer Shortage and Wage Concerns
Subrahmanyan also addressed the ongoing labourer shortage in India’s construction sector. He pointed out that while L&T requires approximately 4 lakh workers, it ends up recruiting 16 lakh due to high attrition rates. He further emphasized the need for wage revisions in line with inflation to retain workers.
Additionally, he noted that a significant number of Indian workers are drawn to the Middle East, where they earn nearly three to 3.5 times the wages they receive in India. This wage disparity, according to Subrahmanyan, is a critical factor in the migration of skilled labourers abroad.
Work-Life Balance Debate Reignited
This latest remark follows the controversy surrounding Subrahmanyan’s previous comments advocating extended work hours. Last month, he suggested that employees should work on Sundays, stating, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.”
His remarks sparked widespread backlash, with prominent business leaders such as Adar Poonawalla, Anand Mahindra, and ITC’s Sanjiv Puri advocating for a balanced approach to work and personal life. The debate even reached Parliament, where the government clarified that it is not considering any proposal to extend the maximum working hours to 70 or 90 hours per week.
Economic Survey Warns Against Overwork
Amidst the ongoing discourse, the pre-Budget Economic Survey recently highlighted the adverse effects of excessive working hours. Studies cited in the survey indicated that working over 60 hours per week could be detrimental to health.
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It noted that prolonged desk-bound work could negatively impact mental well-being, with individuals clocking 12 or more hours a day experiencing distress and struggling with mental health issues.
Industry Reactions and Future Outlook
The ongoing debate raises critical questions about India’s labour policies, wage structures, and work culture. While industry leaders acknowledge the need for a strong workforce to drive economic growth, the importance of employee well-being and fair compensation remains a significant concern.
As India continues to expand its infrastructure, balancing worker mobility, fair wages, and a sustainable work-life model will be crucial for long-term economic progress. Whether Subrahmanyan’s remarks will lead to policy discussions or further backlash remains to be seen.
