Why is ILO reviewing working hours in India

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The International Labor Organization (ILO) is currently engaged in reviewing working hours and working culture in India. According to media reports, the organization is preparing a report that will be presented by July-August. The hours worked overtime and undertime will also be assessed in this report. Along with this, the organization will also try to find out the effect of working long hours on work-life balance.

ILO is preparing this report at a time when many states in India are opting to increase working hours from 8 to 12 hours a day.

According to the report, the ILO will analyse working conditions and working hours in other South-East Asian countries and compare that with data from India. The organization will also give recommendations to improve the working environment in the country. Working hours and work-life balance are important aspects while making policies related to labour, but often these are most neglected while making policies.

ILO talks about eight hours of work every day for six days or 48 working hours in the whole week. However, according to the ILO’s Global Report on Working Hours, a third of the global working population regularly work more than 48 hours a week, while a fifth of the total working population work less than 35 hours per week.

The organization’s global report has emphasized the shortcomings of working long hours. It has been clearly stated in the report that working longer hours not only worsens the work-life balance of people, but it also has a bad effect on people’s health. As a result, the working efficiency of the person decreases.

ILO is an institution of the United Nations. It brings together the governments, employers and workers of 187 member countries to set labor standards, formulate policies and develop programs that promote decent work for all men and women. It was established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League of Nations. Its headquarter is in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization was also awarded the Nobel Peace in 1969.