The whole 6-day work week conversation has blown up ever since the Economic Survey 2024–25 hinted at “more flexible working hours”.
And honestly, it’s one of those debates that refuses to die down because it touches a nerve. Some folks argue it’s the only way for India to grow faster, while others are convinced it’s a step backwards.
For me, the captivating part isn’t the headlines or the drama. It’s the simple but uncomfortable question underneath: if we work longer, do we actually become more productive as a country, or are we just exhausting ourselves for nothing?
I went on the internet to research to find the answer to this obnoxious question. Here’s what I found:
Why People Support a 6-Day Work Week
Manufacturing Competitiveness
The Economic Survey makes a fair point: strict limits on working hours make production more expensive and slower. In comparison, countries that allow companies to spread working hours across weeks or even months can react faster to demand.
In fact, the ILO (International Labour Organisation) itself suggests a three-week averaging system. So a factory can run harder during peak orders without “breaking the law”. ‘Flexibility’ is the keyword here.
Extra Output (At Least on Paper)
The math is straightforward: more days = more work done. Especially in manufacturing, where most tasks are repetitive and structured.
Unlike service industries, where creativity and problem-solving dominate, manufacturing might actually benefit from squeezing in that extra day.
Global Competition Argument
Remember when Infosys founder Narayana Murthy said India’s youth should work longer hours? For 70 hours a week? People went crazy over it.
But his reasoning was simple: India’s productivity per worker is low. Countries like Germany and Japan worked brutal hours decades ago to rebuild themselves. So, the argument goes, why shouldn’t India do the same now?
Why This Argument Doesn’t Hold Up
The Productivity Paradox
Remember the simple math mentioned above: more working days = more work done?
But here’s the twist:
OECD data shows more hours don’t automatically mean more output.
OECD stands for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and is a globally recognised body that collaborates with economies to develop policy and promotes sustainable economic growth.
In fact, some of the most productive countries in the world, like Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands, actually have shorter work weeks today but far higher per-hour productivity.
So Murthy’s own examples don’t entirely back him up.
Health Costs Nobody Talks About Enough
The WHO has reported that working 55+ hours per week bumps up your stroke risk by 35% and heart disease deaths by 17%. That’s not a small number.
Add to this the fact that India is already ranked as one of the most overworked nations, with a McKinsey Health Institute survey showing 59% of employees face burnout symptoms… It starts looking like a ticking time bomb.
Burnout = Economic Loss
This isn’t just a “mental health issue”. Burnt-out employees are less focused, make more mistakes, and quit faster. What good is an extra workday if people are disengaged or constantly leaving their jobs? You end up losing the very productivity you were hoping to gain.
The Greek Example of 6-Day Work Week
Greece is a live case study. In 2024, they rolled out a six-day work week. The government called it “worker-friendly” and promised 40% extra pay for the sixth day. Sounds nice, right?
But critics point out that Greeks already worked some of the longest hours in Europe with around 1,886 annually compared to the EU average of 1,571. And still, their GDP per capita hasn’t bounced back to pre-2007 levels. So clearly, slogging longer didn’t equal prosperity.
Smarter Alternatives That Already Work
Shorter Work Week Experiments
Microsoft Japan tried a four-day week in 2019, and productivity jumped by 40%. Iceland ran trials of shorter work weeks and found productivity stayed the same—or even went up.
The conclusion is hard to ignore: when people are healthier and less stressed, they actually work better.
Quality Beats Quantity
Horlicks’s HR leader P. Dwarakanath once said,
Productivity is about how we work, not how long.
Founder of the UTV channel, Ronnie Screwvala, too, has argued that efficiency and innovation—not slogging—are what really matter. And honestly, I agree. With technology, automation, and smarter systems, it’s possible to achieve in five days what earlier needed six or seven.
What the Indian Government is Saying
For the record, the government has clarified there’s no plan to push people into 70–90 hour work weeks. Neither longer hours nor 6-day work week plan! But yes, they’re giving companies more flexibility.
For example, seven states have already increased the overtime ceiling from 75 to 144 hours per quarter. That means companies can manage peak demand more freely without enforcing a blanket six-day rule.
My Takeaway
India is standing at an interesting crossroad. On one hand, we do need to use our massive workforce to stay competitive. On the other, burning out millions of people is not an option.
If you ask me, a mandatory 6-day work week isn’t the solution. What India needs instead is flexibility plus focus on smarter work. Companies should be allowed to scale hours during peak demand, but employees shouldn’t have to sacrifice health and family life every single week.
At the end of the day, working smarter beats working endlessly. If India really wants to rise as an economic powerhouse, the focus has to shift towards efficiency, innovation, and employee wellbeing—not just keeping people at their desks longer.
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