Beyond the Hashtag: Inside the Harsh Realities of Giridih’s 72-Hour Work Culture

Kolkata/Giridih: After Infosys Founder NR Narayana Murthy’s suggestion for a 70-hour work week, L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan has now proposed 90-hour work weeks during a board meeting, a statement that has been widely criticized across the country. Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone also condemned the L&T chairman’s remarks, emphasizing mental health concerns with the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters. Renowned tennis player Jwala Gutta also criticized Subrahmanyan’s idea and labeled his statement as misogynistic.

CPIML’s Member of Parliament Raja Ram Singh, who is also a Standing Committee Member on Labour, Employment, and Skill Development, has written to the Labour Ministry seeking action against anti-labour statements and practices followed by companies like L&T, Infosys, and others. He has called for the strict enforcement of labour laws to ensure that workers are not compelled to work more than eight hours a day.

Giridih: Where a 72-hour Work Week is the Norm

While leaders, actors and netizens are criticizing these calls for longer work hours, Giridih, a city in Jharkhand, has seen 72-hour work weeks as a norm for more than a decade. Here, work-life balance has been sacrificed to meet industrial demands.

“A 12-hour workday is now a common practice here, especially for labourers and staff. I know people who have worked for months without taking leave. If they take a day off, their wages are cut,” Basant Tanti, a member of Karantikari Yuva Sangathan told eNewsroom.

Basant added, “To facilitate this, companies rely on contractors to hire labourers. Factories here operate in two shifts instead of three, so most workers end up working 12-hour shifts. Unfortunately, they do not receive higher pay for these extended hours.”

Despite this, the large-scale employment provided by these factories has prevented long working hours from becoming a major issue of public contention.

When contacted, Superintendent of Labour Ravi Shankar stated, “Twelve-hour workdays are not permissible, and companies might be offering four hours of overtime.” However, when informed that many workers are forced to work 12 hours without proper overtime pay, he referred the matter to another officer, who could not be reached for comment.

Pollution: Another Major Issue

Unlike the issue of extended working hours, pollution caused by sponge iron factories in Giridih has sparked significant public outcry. Residents have long protested against the deteriorating air quality and environmental hazards caused by these industries.

On December 17, members of Karantikari Yuva Sangathan met Deputy Commissioner Naman Priyesh Lakra, giving him an ultimatum to shut down the sponge iron factories if pollution levels were not reduced. Villagers from Mohanpur, Shrirampur, and Udnabad had even announced plans to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. After the administration intervened, the villagers agreed to vote.

Giridih is home to around 200 plus small and medium enterprises, including sponge iron factories, rolling mills, charcoal factories, rope factories, mica factories, and various mills for rice and flour. Most of these enterprises are concentrated in Mohanpur, Shrirampur, and Udnabad. There are at least 30,000 workers employed in these factories.

“Interestingly, some major companies with factories in neighboring Bengal adhere to an eight-hour work schedule and follow labour practices like providing casual leave, earned leave, medical leave, bonuses, and pensions. However, in Giridih, companies blatantly flout these rules, and neither officials nor politicians seem to care,” Basant explained.

Rich Legacy of Pioneers and Revolutionaries

Before the 1980s, Giridih was known as a health resort. It was the work field of several Bengali legends, including the world-famous scientist Sir JC Bose and statistician PC Mahalanobis. While Bose worked on his invention, the Crescograph, from this city and breathed his last here, Mahalanobis established the second Indian Statistical Institute in Giridih, after Kolkata. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore visited the city and stayed at Mahalanobis’ residence. The house, whose halls are named after the chapters of Tagore’s famous work Gitanjali, is now a women’s college.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder Shibu Soren also made Giridih his workplace and rebelled against the zamindari and mahajani system in the area.

Still A Politically High-Profile District, But Little Regard for Labour Laws

Giridih is also the native district of Jharkhand’s first Chief Minister, Babulal Marandi. Now, a constituency of it represented by Kalpana Soren, wife of current Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu also hails from here. The assembly segment of youth leader and JLKM MLA Jairam Mahto, as well as former legislator Vinod Singh, known for being awarded Jharkhand’s Excellent Legislator title, also falls under Giridih district. Despite such political prominence, workers in Giridih continue to toil under inhumane conditions, while their families endure polluted air and contaminated water. Several legislators who became members of the Jharkhand Assembly in the past have an industrial background.

Billions for Advertising, But No Bonuses for Workers

Iron and steel companies in Giridih spend billions on advertising their products across India, from Giridih to major national channels, regional newspapers, and online platforms. However, these same companies fail to provide basic benefits to workers. “Bonuses during Durga Puja and Holi are given only to select staff members,” Basant claimed.

eNewsroom reached out to Deputy Commissioner Naman Priyesh Lakra for comments on both the 12-hour workday issue and rampant pollution. A response is awaited. It remains to be seen whether authorities will take meaningful action to address these pressing concerns.