Infosys has been fined €175,000 (around ₹2 crore) by France’s regional labour authority, DRIEETS Île-de-France. According to the company’s regulatory filing, the authority found that Infosys’ employee working-time recording system did not comply with French labour laws.
Problems Found in Time Recording System
The French labour authority said that Infosys’ system for recording working hours did not fully meet legal requirements. It found issues with the system’s reliability, auditability, and monitoring features for certain groups of employees.
Murthy’s 70-Hour Workweek Debate Returns
The fine has brought back discussions about Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy’s 2023 comments, where he encouraged young Indians to work 70 hours a week to improve the country’s productivity. His statement led to a nationwide debate. Some business leaders supported the idea, while many employees and labour rights groups argued that work-life balance and employee well-being should not be ignored.
Strict labour rules in France
France enforces strict labor laws centered on worker protections, featuring a standard 35-hour workweek, mandatory 5 weeks of paid vacation, and strict rules against arbitrary employee termination.
- Workweek: Standard hours are set at 35 hours per week, with strict time-tracking requirements that recently resulted in a €175,000 fine for Infosys by regional authorities for non-compliant audit systems.
- Minimum Wage: The gross monthly minimum wage is €1,766.92.
- Time Off: Employees receive 30 days (5 weeks) of paid vacation plus 11 public holidays.
Critics are requesting government to introduce strict labour laws in India also. In India, late sitting and holiday working are becoming very common.
