A statement by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal regarding India's work culture has triggered strong reactions from technology sector employees. Prathidhwani, the welfare and recreation forum representing IT workers at Kerala’s Infopark, released a social media statement on Monday expressing deep concern over the minister’s recent public comments.

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The controversy centres on remarks Minister Goyal made at an international trade gathering in The Hague, where he suggested that Indian workers do not watch the clock or request weekend breaks. In response, employee representatives warned that glorifying endless hours compromises worker health and fails to build long-term economic strength.

What the minister said in The Hague

Union Minister Goyal during a two-day official visit to the Netherlands addressed delegates at the India-Netherlands Business Forum. The minister praised the dedication of India's 1.4 billion population and its young, skilled talent pool. "The youth are willing to work hard. Nobody in India will tell you it's 5 o'clock. And certainly no Indian will ever remind you it's the weekend," Goyal said whilst discussing India's work ethic.

During his address, the minister contrasted India's business landscape with European regulatory structures. He argued that European authorities add an excessive compliance burden on enterprises, whereas India actively simplifies processes and reduces paperwork. Goyal jocularly remarked that European ministers might not like his stance, but businesses quietly appreciate his call for global deregulation. He also emphasised India's trustworthiness as an investment destination, stating, "We don't steal data, we don't steal technology, we don't steal IPR."

Why Kerala's IT workforce is pushing back

In its Facebook statement published on Monday, Prathidhwani voiced strong concern over the minister’s speech. The forum highlighted that Indian IT professionals already face extended working hours, weekend calls, heavy work pressure, job insecurity, and industry layoffs. It noted that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence is creating additional career uncertainty for tech workers.

Prathidhwani maintained that productivity should be evaluated through innovation and actual results, rather than the number of hours spent working. "Weekends, reasonable working hours and work-life balance are not privileges; they are essential to a healthy workplace," the organisation stated. It stressed that national growth cannot rely on straining employees to exhaustion, adding, "A developed India cannot be built by exhausting its workforce."

Highlighting its core message, the group asserted that "hard work deserves recognition, not exploitation."

Advocating for workplace well-being, Prathidhwani had earlier welcomed the Right to Disconnect Bill 2025 introduced in the state legislature and urged the government to formally adopt it. The forum called on policymakers and corporate leadership to respect employee dignity, promote healthy workplace practices, and guarantee a fair work-life balance.