Latest update:18 November 2025, 09:56 IST

Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys, has defended the idea of ​​a 72-hour work week using China’s notorious “996” work culture as an example.

Narayana Murthy also reported that PM Modi works nearly 100 hours a week. (Image source: X)

A new debate has opened up online after Infosys founder Narayana Murthy once again spoke out about the need for extremely long working hours. His comments attracted attention because he used China’s notorious “996” work culture as an example.

In a recent interview, Murthy tried to explain why he feels progress only comes through effort. He said that throughout his life, one theme has remained constant for him: “No individual, no society, no country was created without hard work.”

He also reiterated his view that people should “get a life and then worry about work-life balance.”

Referring to the work culture in China 996

“Last year, senior and mid-level catamaran employees went to China, they went to Tier 1 cities, Tier 2 cities, Tier 3 cities. They stayed in Tier 3 hotels because we wanted to understand the real China. And you know there’s a saying there, 9, 9, 6. Do you know what that means? 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days a week,” the Infosys founder said in an interview with Republic. That means 72 hours a week.” TV.

Murthy also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi works nearly 100 hours a week and said this can serve as an example for young working professionals.

“We are humans, not machines”: The Internet reacts with strong reactions

A long chain of reactions began online after Murthy’s remarks went viral. People from different work backgrounds shared their concerns, frustrations and humor through comments.

One user commented, “There is a saying in Europe, 10, 5, 5. You know what it means – 10am to 5pm, 5 days a week. They go for walks, trips, meet friends, enjoy life. Please point India in the right direction, uncle. We want to live!!”

Another said: “Sir, we are already spending 9 to 9 or 12 hours in traffic.”

“You cannot expect to travel 100 km for a drop of oil; similarly, one cannot expect to work overtime for a pittance and 0 mark-up,” another person commented.

One sarcastic caption read: “72-hour work week: because who needs sleep when you have deadlines and tea?”

Others questioned the pay gap, with one saying: “If you could pay me the equivalent of a Chinese employee, I would work 16 hours, 6 days a week. I don’t have any social life anyway.”

One user pointed out, “Citing 9-9-6 in China as a standard sounds great on paper, but India doesn’t even have the right basic ecosystem for that, fair salaries, work-life balance, mental health support, or a productivity-focused culture. Hard work hours won’t solve deeper structural problems.”

“If you expect employees to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., you should offer incentives that match the workload. If you can’t offer fair compensation or support, don’t expect employees to work like machines. We are humans, not robots, and we deserve a healthy, respectful work environment,” another comment said.

What is the 996 rule in China?

Rule 996 refers to the strict work routine followed in many Chinese companies where employees are expected to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. This adds up to 72 hours a week, and has become known as part of China’s fast-paced work culture. Many of the country’s top businessmen, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, once supported this approach. But many criticized it strongly and described it as “modern slavery.”

Over time, concerns about 996 became more acute. According to a Reuters report, the Chinese government moved to stop such schedules and declared them illegal in 2021. In the same year, major tech companies such as ByteDance and Tencent also began moving away from them. Reuters noted that this shift came after a 22-year-old employee at the e-commerce company Pinduoduo collapsed and died while returning home after midnight.

In fact, Chinese labor law sets clear limits. Employees must not work more than eight hours per day or more than 44 hours per week. Overtime is also limited to one hour per day or only up to three hours if health conditions permit, and no more than 36 hours per month. These limits are consistent with the guidelines recommended by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Even with these rules, long working hours continue in many places. The reasons are related to weak enforcement of labor laws, pressure to achieve company goals and low minimum wages, which makes overtime common in many industries.

Staff

The team of writers at News18.com bring you stories about what’s buzzing on the internet while exploring science, cricket, technology, sex, Bollywood and culture.

The team of writers at News18.com bring you stories about what’s buzzing on the internet while exploring science, cricket, technology, sex, Bollywood and culture.

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