Fact Check: Is BJP Govt Set To Introduce 3-Day Off Policy In Budget 2024?

As Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy recently kicked off a debate with his claims that youngsters should work 70 hours a week, translating to about 12 hours of work per day assuming a 6-day work week, a claim started doing rounds that the BJP-led NDA government was planning to introduce a new leave policy in the next budget.

As per the claim, the Centre was planning to introduce a 3-day off policy. "From July 1, Companies will be able to increase work hours to 12 hours. Employees might have to work 10-12 hours a day for 4 days. The companies will be able to give employees 3 days of leave after these new rules," a message doing rounds on social media said.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget on February 1, 2024, where she will make this announcement, as per the claim.

The claim also said that the government's new policy would allow people to have more cash in hand and the PF of individuals might increase. These were part of the Narendra Modi's new Labour Law regulations.

Any reports which are directly impacting people's lives get a lot of attention on social media sites. With the internet reaching every nook and corner of the country, this piece of speculation obviously went viral.

Is there a truth in the claims?

Well, it is a "fake" claim and the government's ' fact check' department has confirmed it on X. "No such proposal has been floated by the Finance Ministry," the clarification read.

4-Day Week Concept

The concept of a four-day workweek appears innovative but in a nation like India, where many organizations still adhere to the traditional five-day work format, adopting a four-day workweek seems like a far-off aspiration. Despite potential challenges in implementation, if executed effectively, it has the potential to bring about numerous positive changes.

A 2021 survey revealed that approximately 59 per cent of the Indian workforce is dissatisfied with their work and experiences a subpar work-life balance.