January 12: The Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) has strongly criticised the statement made by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, suggesting a “90-hour work week for employees”. The organisation highlighted that such an approach is both unscientific and detrimental to workers’ health.
Dr Arun Mitra of IDPD said their organisation emphasised that productivity is directly linked to the well-being and happiness of workers. Overworked and exhausted employees are not only less productive but also prone to more accidents and errors. “Research shows that our biological clock, or circadian rhythm, plays a crucial role in determining productivity levels, which peak during specific times of the day. Factors such as hormones, diet, and exposure to daylight significantly influence an individual’s capacity to perform efficiently”, he said.
The IDPD pointed out that working beyond eight hours a day has been consistently associated with adverse health effects, including a 40% higher risk of heart disease and stress-related illnesses. Studies have shown that overworking increases the risk of injuries by 61% and heightens vulnerability to chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and cancer, Dr Mitra said.
Citing research from the World Health Organization (WHO), IDPD noted that working 55 hours or more per week raises the risk of stroke by 35% and the risk of fatal heart disease by 17% compared to those working 35–40 hours weekly. Additionally, individuals working more than 11 hours a day are twice as likely to experience major depressive episodes.
“Scientific studies consistently demonstrate that an ideal daily working time is around six hours, concentrated in the morning when productivity levels are highest,” IDPD stated. The organisation warned that prolonged working hours, as proposed by Subrahmanyan, would lead to a surge in workplace accidents, chronic diseases, and mental health issues.
The IDPD concluded by urging policymakers, employers, and organizations to prioritize workers’ health and well-being, advocating for humane working conditions that align with scientific evidence rather than pursuing unrealistic and harmful demands.
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