IT union slams Piyush Goyal for boasting of longer work hours as India’s strength

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has criticised Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal for presenting long working hours and weekend work as strengths of India’s workforce. The union said his remarks risk normalising exploitative work practices and weakening protections for employees.

Speaking at the India-Netherlands Business Forum, Piyush said, “Nobody in India will tell you it's 5 o'clock. And certainly, no Indian will ever remind you it's the weekend.” He made the remarks while pitching India’s workforce to Dutch business leaders and highlighting its willingness to work hard.

In a statement, KITU said the comments effectively gave corporations a free hand to disregard working-hour regulations, weekly holidays and labour protections by suggesting that Indian employees would remain available to employers at all times.

“By projecting that Indian workers will remain available to employers at all hours, including weekends, the Minister is promoting a culture of chattel slavery,” the union said.

The union said Piyush’s remarks echoed demands made by business leaders, including Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and the chairman of Larsen & Toubro, who have advocated longer working hours. KITU accused the government of prioritising corporate interests over workers’ dignity, health and personal lives.

The union said workers were already dealing with extended schedules, workplace stress and burnout, with excessive work affecting their physical and mental well-being, family relationships and social lives. It argued that rest, time with family and opportunities for personal development were essential to a dignified life, not privileges that employers could choose to grant.

KITU also criticised what it described as the normalisation of harsh working conditions by a Union minister. It called on the government to enforce labour laws and international labour standards instead of endorsing expectations that employees remain available beyond regular working hours.

The union urged workers, trade unions and democratic organisations to unite against excessive working hours and defend weekly rest, work-life balance and the right to disconnect from work outside working hours.

“Indian workers deserve a life beyond work. Their time, dignity, and well-being must not be sacrificed at the altar of corporate profits,” the statement said.