India’s parliament is debating a draft law that would give employees the right to ignore work calls, emails and messages outside official hours, weeks after a tycoon’s call for a 72-hour work week sparked a furore on social media.
The Right to Disconnect Bill 2025, introduced on December 5 by MP Supriya Sule, would empower authorities to impose penalties on non-compliant firms.
Supporters argue the proposal recognises workers’ rights in an era of always-on corporate culture. Critics, however, say enforcement would be difficult in a labour-surplus economy with many Indian employees working long hours.
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In an interview with Republic TV last month, N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder of leading IT company Infosys, sparked a debate when he urged Indian workers to emulate China’s work ethic to advance their country.
“There is a saying in China, 9, 9, 6. You know what it means? 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week. And that is a 72-hour work week.” He said young Indians should follow the same work routine.
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Murthy made a similar call in a separate TV interview in 2023, saying “the average Indian’s attitude tends to be not so work-driven”.