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Entrepreneur Recalls Grueling 14-Hour Workdays at L&T: Had to Seek Permission for Personal Tasks
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CNBC TV18•01-10-2026, 18:44
Entrepreneur Recalls Grueling 14-Hour Workdays at L&T: Had to Seek Permission for Personal Tasks
- •A Chennai-based entrepreneur, Sundara Rajan, shared his experience of working 10-14 hours daily, 6.5 days a week, at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Construction project sites between 1986 and 1994.
- •Rajan revealed he frequently sought permission during weekdays for personal errands like banking, sending post, calling home, or getting a haircut.
- •His X post sparked a debate, with many users criticizing the long work hours as "exploitation of labour" and noting that similar conditions persist in the construction industry today.
- •Some social media users argued that such demanding work schedules are acceptable if communicated upfront, while others called for better staffing and reasonable shifts.
- •The discussion highlighted ongoing concerns about overworking in the construction sector, with some comparing the workload to "slavery" and questioning the lack of similar conditions in Western countries.
Key Questions Answered
Sundara Rajan stated that employees at Larsen & Toubro Construction project sites worked 10 to 14 hours a day for 6.5 days a week.
Sundara Rajan worked at the construction giant's project sites between the years 1986 and 1994.
Rajan's post sparked significant criticism on social media, with many users condemning the demanding schedule as labor exploitation, slavery, and an act of glorifying overworking.
