Toxic Work Culture Import

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The editorial critiques the import of American corporate work culture, emphasizing high productivity at the cost of employee well-being in India.

An Indian woman’s death after a long workday in Pune highlights the intense work pressures in multinational corporations (MNCs) in India. These MNCs, often American in origin, emphasize productivity over employee well-being, leading to high-stress environments. American work culture, deeply rooted in the Protestant work ethic, glorifies relentless labor, with only a small part of employee value reflected in wages. This culture prioritizes long working hours to meet demanding targets, often ignoring ergonomics and work-life balance.

Productivity comparisons show that while the U.S. ranks high globally, it largely depends on high consumption of natural resources, which is unsustainable for countries like India. The pressure to replicate this model here is unwise, given the environmental and social differences. Foreign investments that push such work environments in India reflect the exploitative practices of multinationals, which have little accountability for employee welfare.

The rising discontent among Indian workers is noticeable, yet the government has limited avenues to address it. The editorial calls for a reassessment of foreign work practices in India, warning against prioritizing profit over human well-being.