Exploitation of India’s Middle Class and Poor: Open and Unchecked?
By Rahul, The Rooster News
Date: 11/01/2025
India’s middle class and working poor are facing an unprecedented crisis—a crisis not born of external factors, but rather one created by the very corporate elites who profit from their labor. A stark example of this exploitation came recently from S.N. Subrahmanyan, the Chairman and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), whose comments about working hours and the value of family life have brought into sharp focus the growing divide between corporate leaders and the common worker. His remarks raise important questions about the corporate exploitation of India’s workforce, the unchecked greed at the top, and the disregard for the basic dignity of the working class.
In a public appearance, Subrahmanyan—whose annual earnings exceed ₹51 crores—shared his views on why employees at L&T should work weekends, even lamenting that he could not force them to work on Sundays. “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I could, I would be happier because I work on Sundays,” he said. “What do you even do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife, or your wife at you?”
To say these words are tone-deaf would be an understatement. They expose an egregious disconnect between the lives of corporate leaders and the everyday struggles of the workers who create their wealth. But Subrahmanyan is not alone in his views. The culture of exploitation that he represents is widespread in corporate India, where workers are treated as expendable resources, their lives reduced to mere cogs in the ever-churning machinery of profit.
A Shocking Disconnect: Profit Over People
Subrahmanyan’s casual dismissal of the value of family time underscores a deeper, more insidious issue—the complete disregard for the well-being of workers. His salary of ₹3.6 crores, perks worth ₹1.67 crores, and annual commission of ₹35.28 crores contrast sharply with the lives of the thousands of workers who earn a fraction of this amount while being pushed to work longer and harder with each passing year. This imbalance is not just economic; it is moral.
The reality for the middle-class and working-class Indians is a daily struggle. Many work long hours, often in physically demanding jobs, to provide a basic standard of living for their families. The very workers who build infrastructure, run factories, serve in hospitals, and maintain the services we depend on are often subjected to grueling schedules without adequate rest, compensation, or the simple joys of family time.
Subrahmanyan’s statement—belittling those who spend time with their families—epitomizes the corporate class’s belief that workers are merely tools for generating wealth. What is most disturbing is that this mindset is not an anomaly; it’s part of a larger narrative that dominates the corporate culture in India. The idea that workers should sacrifice their personal lives for the benefit of corporate profits is not new. The narrative has been pushed by other corporate bigwigs, such as Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, who argued that young Indians should work 70-hour weeks to boost national productivity.
But let’s pause for a moment. What is the real cost of this ideology? How much longer can we allow this unchecked exploitation before it begins to unravel the very fabric of society?
The False Narrative of “National Progress”
What Subrahmanyan and his peers fail to realize is that the pursuit of more work—more hours, more sacrifice—does not translate into national progress. India’s growth has been impressive, but it has not been built by forcing workers into exhausting, soul-crushing labor. Rather, it has been driven by innovation, technological advancement, infrastructure development, and, above all, the collective effort of people working in harmony with their families, communities, and governments.
Subrahmanyan’s assertion that the key to India’s future lies in more work hours is not only short-sighted; it is harmful. There is no evidence to suggest that longer hours directly lead to greater productivity or economic growth. In fact, numerous studies have shown that overwork leads to burnout, decreased productivity, and higher turnover rates. Yet, in India, this toxic corporate culture continues to thrive, unchecked and unapologetic.
A Divided Society: The Rich Thrive, the Poor Struggle
The most disturbing aspect of this corporate mentality is the stark division it creates within society. While corporate leaders like Subrahmanyan enjoy vast wealth and luxury, the workers who generate that wealth live lives of quiet desperation. For the vast majority of India’s middle class and working poor, the end of the workday is not a luxury to be enjoyed. It is a moment to catch their breath, care for their families, and plan for the next day.
Subrahmanyan’s comments suggest a mindset where time spent with loved ones is viewed as a luxury, as if the only real value is in the hours spent at the office. The irony is rich—while he enjoys the benefits of a cushy lifestyle, his employees are expected to sacrifice their own well-being for the company’s bottom line. But this is not just about a single individual. This is the larger, systemic issue of corporate greed and the exploitation of workers that permeates industries across the nation.
India’s top 1% controls over 40% of the country’s wealth, and the disparity is widening. The corporate elite have succeeded in shaping a narrative that justifies their enormous earnings at the expense of those who work tirelessly in the fields, factories, and offices that sustain the economy. They claim to be the “job creators” while simultaneously pushing for longer hours and fewer protections for the workers who keep the wheels of industry turning.
The Human Cost of Corporate Profits
Subrahmanyan’s comments also bring attention to the human cost of unchecked corporate greed. It is not just the physical exhaustion that workers face, but the emotional toll—the alienation from their families, the strain on their mental health, and the loss of dignity that comes from being treated as an expendable resource. For millions of Indians, the workplace is a place of constant struggle, not just for survival, but for respect.
A healthy work culture values people—not just as workers but as human beings. It recognizes that productivity is not about working longer hours; it’s about creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to give their best. Companies that prioritize employee well-being and work-life balance, like Google in the United States or Microsoft in Japan, have seen success in the long run. It’s time for Indian companies to adopt a similar approach.
A Call to Action: Time for Change
India’s corporate culture must evolve. It is time for a cultural shift that recognizes the importance of work-life balance, dignity, and respect for all workers—whether they are building the nation’s infrastructure or managing its boardrooms. Companies must be held accountable for their exploitation of workers. The government must enforce labor laws more strictly, ensuring that workers are not subjected to unreasonable demands and are compensated fairly for their labor.
The real path to national progress is not through the exploitation of workers but through inclusive growth that benefits all segments of society. We cannot afford to ignore the suffering of millions in the name of corporate profits. It is time for India to create a society where work is not just a means of survival but a source of dignity and respect.
Rahul
The Rooster News
