THIS is with reference to the letter “Let’s clear the head about work culture” (April 21) which appreciated the government decision to go for a six-day workweek. There is no substitute for hard work, which is always beneficial not only to the people in their individual capacities, but also to their organisations, and, in turn, to the economy at large.

The maximum number of daily and weekly working hours i.e., 8 and 48, respectively, have been prescribed by both the Factories Act, 1934, for the industrial workers and the Shops and Establishments Ordinance, 1969, for office and other non-production staff. As the output of workers in the South Asian countries of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka is low, their employers make them work for the maximum hours admissible under the law. In Pakistan and India, the average weekly work hours are 48, while in Sri Lanka, these are 45.

Nevertheless, working higher number of hours does not necessarily imply delivery of better output and efficiency in performance. Employees allowed by their managements to have flexible work hours are usually the star performers for their organisations, and not those who are workaholics.

The Exxon Chemical Pakistan Ltd had a fertiliser plant in Daharki, Sindh, where the weekly work hours were 42. Prior to winding up its operations in Pakistan in 1991, the output of its workers was much higher than 100 per cent. Even their principles in New Jersey were amazed as to how did they achieve it. The factors which motivated its employees to deliver their best output and inculcated an exemplary commitment to the company were keys to its great success.

Contrary to the writer’s assertion that “six days a week and eight hours a day are common elements around the world”, the Western countries are moving towards lesser and lesser work hours in their industries and businesses. The Americans work an average of 34.4 hours per week. The European Union’s average work week of employed persons in their main jobs comprises 37 hours. The longest usual work weeks in Poland, the Balkan peninsula and Turkey are above 40.

In China, the work life is usually centred on a 40-hour week spread across five days. However, like the South Asian countries, the Japanese work an average of 46.7 hours for men and 36.3 hours for women.

The output and performance of workers in the advanced countries is much higher than those in this part of the world where people are forced by their employers to work up to the maximum limit of weekly work hours.

Parvez Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2022