THESE countries have the longest and shortest work weeks in the world; Where does India stand? | The Times of India (2024)

FAQs

Which country has the longest work week? ›

1. United Arab Emirates (UAE) With an average workweek of 52.0 hours, UAE tops the list for countries with the longest working hours.

While at the other, workers in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati enjoy the shortest work week at just 27.2 hours.

India. The standard working week for most office jobs begins on Monday and ends on Saturday. The work schedule is 48 hours per week, Sunday being a rest day. However, most government offices and the software industry follow a five-day workweek.

As per the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code of 2020, the manufacturing sector is restricted from exceeding the prescribed eight-hour working limit for employees. Considering these regulations and the nature of tasks involved, implementing a 4 day workweek in such industries may not be feasible.

Standard working hours in India are usually eight to nine hours per day and 48 hours per week for adult employees. These hours may vary depending on the industry, nature of work, and state regulations.

France is among the most recent countries to pilot a four-day workweek, and Belgium became the first country to officially approve the shortened week back in 2022. Other countries that have been experimenting with the four-day workweek include Iceland, Japan and South Africa.

Indian labour laws does not allow 7 days a week work. Factory's Act stipulates hours of work and weekly off days in factories - 48 hours of work a week and an off day after 6 working days. Work beyond 48 hours a week or work on an off day warrants overtime pay at double rate.

As a rule, a common year consists of 52 weeks and 260 work days. A leap year may contain an extra work day, so there will be 261 work days.

As for Indian culture, there was a 7-day Yagya festival during the Vedic period. However, the days were not given names along with it. Later, when Alexander came to India, he started preaching Greek culture and its ideologies. From here the concept of a seven-day week also came in India.

Should we adopt a 4 day work week? ›

So, is a shorter workweek a win-win? Advocates answer yes. Workers will have more time to relax, spend time with their family, handle obligations like doctors' appointments, and simply enjoy a better work-life balance. For two working spouses with children, childcare expenses will be reduced.

Factually, there is still no widespread 4 day work week in Germany, or a right to it. Currently, 45 German companies are trialing a 4 day work week as part of 4 Day Week Global's national partner program. It is also often the subject of negotiations by trade unions (e.g., ver.

4 Day Work Week in Iceland

Iceland is one of the countries most in support of the 4 day work week.

Greece's new law gives employers in some industries, including businesses that offer 24/7 services, the right to compel employees to work a sixth day in return for an additional 40 percent of their daily wage added to their regular daily wage on the extra working day.

Shortest amount of time working per week per employed person

The United States falls roughly in the middle with 36.4 hours worked weekly, which is higher than most of Europe but lower than China and Russia.