Piyush Goyal’s Remarks on Working Hours Spark Debate Over Labour Rights
Amsterdam, Netherlands, 28th October 2026: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s remarks on India’s workforce and its competitive advantage have drawn criticism from social media users and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who accused the government of promoting exploitation over labour rights and work-life balance.
Thackeray criticised Goyal in a post on X, writing, “A minister of the Union regime virtually promoting exploitation over labour laws and work-life balance, instead of defending labour rights while promoting a business-friendly government. But the latter doesn’t seem to exist in this regime.”
The controversy follows Goyal’s address at the India-Netherlands Business Forum on October 26, where he pitched India as an investment destination, highlighting its large domestic market, skilled workforce and infrastructure development. His remarks prompted a wider debate on the relationship between long working hours, productivity and employee well-being.
Several users took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their discontent with the idea of promoting India’s workforce as a competitive advantage without addressing concerns around working hours and labour protections. One user wrote, “Ridiculous to tout our lack of professional work hour boundaries as strength. Shows the lack of respect & dignity we have for our hard-working citizens.”
Other users responded with satirical remarks about what they described as a toxic work culture that has become normalised in Indian workplaces. Comments included “We are the best slaves,” “Did he just announce unpaid overtime as India’s newest export?” and “OMG PLEASE EXPLOIT US PLEASE WE’RE SO EXPLOIT-ABLE PLEASE EXPLOIT US FIRST WE’RE DYING TO BE EXPLOITED PLEASE PLEASE WE’RE SLAVES EXPLOIT US.”
Business leader Harsh Goenka supported the argument that long working hours could give India a competitive advantage, while entrepreneur Ashneer Grover countered that extended working hours often reflected compulsion rather than a strong work ethic. The exchange added to the debate over whether longer hours improve competitiveness at the cost of employees’ well-being.
Goyal was in the Netherlands on the 25th and 26th October as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries. He was accompanied by a business delegation of approximately 60 people.
During the visit, Goyal met Dutch government representatives and business leaders, including executives from semiconductor companies ASML and Nexperia. Discussions covered potential partnerships and investment in manufacturing, technology, renewable energy, logistics and other sectors.
He also co-chaired the India-Netherlands Business Forum with Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma. The forum brought together approximately 200 representatives of Indian and Dutch businesses to discuss trade, investment and opportunities for cooperation.
The debate over Goyal’s remarks has brought renewed attention to the question of how India can strengthen its economic competitiveness while addressing concerns around working conditions, labour protections and work-life balance.
