SN Subrahmanyan attributes labour shortage to government welfare schemes, reigniting work-life balance debate.
February 12, 2025: New Delhi: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan has once again sparked controversy, this time by claiming that Indian labourers are reluctant to relocate for work due to the availability of government welfare schemes. His remarks come weeks after his “90-hour work week” statement, which led to a widespread debate on work-life balance.
Also Read: Work on Sundays Too: L&T Chairman Sparks Outrage with Work-Life Balance Remarks
Speaking at the CII Mystic South Global Linkages Summit 2025 in Chennai, Subrahmanyan argued that it has become difficult to recruit workers for the construction industry, as they prefer to stay in their hometowns. He pointed out that schemes such as MGNREGA, direct benefit transfers, and Jan Dhan accounts discourage labour mobility.
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“Labour is not willing to move for opportunities. Maybe their local economy is doing well, or maybe it’s due to the various government schemes,” he said, adding that this could have a severe impact on India’s infrastructure projects.
Wage Concerns and Migration to the Middle East
Subrahmanyan also highlighted India’s high attrition rates in construction, stating that while L&T requires 4 lakh workers, it has to recruit 16 lakh people annually due to frequent job changes.
Another key concern he raised was wage disparity, pointing out that Middle Eastern countries attract Indian workers by offering salaries that are 3 to 3.5 times higher than what they earn in India. He emphasized the need to revise wages in line with inflation to retain talent within the country.
Also Read: Top 10 Countries With Longest Work Hours-Here Is Where India Ranks
“Work More, Relax Less”: L&T Chairman’s Previous Remarks
Subrahmanyan’s latest comments come shortly after his controversial statement urging employees to 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 had said, adding that he personally works on Sundays too.
This remark had drawn sharp reactions from industry leaders like Adar Poonawalla, Anand Mahindra, and ITC’s Sanjiv Puri, who advocated for work-life balance. The Indian government also clarified in Parliament that there is no plan to extend the work week to 70 or 90 hours, citing concerns over productivity and health.
Experts Warn Against Overworking
The pre-Budget Economic Survey last month highlighted the dangers of overworking, citing studies that show spending more than 60 hours per week at work can have severe health consequences.
The survey further noted that sitting at a desk for over 12 hours a day negatively impacts mental well-being, reinforcing the need for a balanced work-life approach.
Conclusion
While Subrahmanyan’s remarks on labour mobility and wage disparity have some merit, his criticism of government welfare schemes and push for extended working hours continue to fuel debate. With India’s workforce undergoing rapid change, balancing economic growth, fair wages, and employee well-being remains a key challenge.
Tags:
labour crisis in India, L&T controversy, SN Subrahmanyan, work-life balance, 90-hour work week, Indian construction industry, government welfare schemes, MGNREGA impact, Jan Dhan accounts, labour migration, wage disparity, Middle East job market, work culture in India, employment trends