Narayana Murthy Trends After Karnataka's 12-Hour Workday Proposal, Here's Why
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Karnataka government recently proposed 12-hour workdays for IT employees prompting an outrage among the working class.
Former Infosys CEO Narayana Murthy seems to be unable to catch a break, and perhaps he doesn't mind it either. Murthy found several mentions on the social media platform 'X' once again when the topic of extending the work hours came to light. For the uninitiated, the Karnataka government recently proposed to increase the daily working hours from nine to ten in the state and allow up to 12 hours of work a day.
Karnataka State IT/ ITes Employees Union (KITU) strongly opposed the idea of increasing the work hours and urged the working class to raise their voice.
KITU noted that the extension of working hours would lead to a two-shift system, resulting in the unemployment of one third of the workforce.
'This amendment will allow the companies to go for a two shift system instead of the currently existing three shift system and one third of the workforce will be thrown out from their employment," KITU, in a press release, stated.
KITU additionally stressed on the health impact of extended working hours on the IT employee.
Narayana Murthy Arrives
The buzzing news of a possible 12-hour working day for IT employees in Karnataka reminded many of Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy.
Karnataka Govt proposes 12 hr workdays for IT employees. Meanwhile Narayana Murthy Sir.. pic.twitter.com/XAgAd4EHdh
— Shilpa (@shilpa_cn) June 18, 2025
Murthy has, over the years, been in support of working extended hours. The businessman does not believe in the work-life balance either.
At the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit last year, Murthy said, 'About 25 years ago, KV Kamath at an event was asked about his opinion on work-life balance. He said that India is a poor country with a lot of challenges. We first have to get a life, then we can worry about work-life balance." KV Kamath is the Chairman of the board of directors of Jio Financial Services.
Murthy also asserted that his stance on the 70-hour workweek was unmovable.
'Prime Minister Modi probably works 100 hours a week. When his cabinet ministers are working very hard, when his bureaucrats are all working very hard, the only way we can show our appreciation for all these wonderful things that are happening is by our work."
'I am sorry. I haven't changed my view. I will take this with me to my grave. I am very proud of having worked very hard… I worked fourteen hours a day and 6.5 days a week till I retired," he added further.
Social Media Reactions
Reacting strongly to the news, social media users wondered if the 12-hour workday proposal came into effect, it could lead to adverse effects on individuals and impact their wellbeing.
'If this is the direction we're heading, don't be surprised when India's brightest minds start leaving not because they want luxury, but because they want basic quality of life. 12-hour shifts + 4 hours in Bangalore traffic = 16 hours gone. What's left for rest, family, or health?" a user on 'X' responded to the news.
'12 hour work + 4 hours of traffic coming and going back. Why not ask the employees to sleep in the office itself for the remaining 8 hours," wrote another user.
'Total 24 hours
12 hours in office
4 hours in traffic
6 hours sleep
2 hours, food, bath
You must work like slave."
Notably, the proposal hasn't been finalised yet.
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