India is pitching its workforce, large market and manufacturing potential to attract foreign investment. Pakistan, meanwhile, faces a bigger challenge: turning its workforce into higher productivity, better-paying jobs and stronger economic growth.
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently highlighted the country’s work culture while speaking to Dutch business leaders in The Hague on October 27.
“Indians want to work hard,” Goyal said, adding that Indian workers do not remind employers when it is 5 PM or the weekend.
His remarks went viral but also drew criticism, with many social media users arguing that working long hours should not be treated as a measure of productivity.
Why India Is Pitching Its Workforce
Goyal was visiting Germany and the Netherlands to attract foreign investment. He co-chaired the India-Netherlands Business Forum, attended by around 200 business representatives, and met executives from major companies.
He encouraged Dutch businesses to invest in India, manufacture products locally and develop new technologies with Indian companies.
The targeted sectors include manufacturing, renewable energy, semiconductors, green hydrogen, logistics and food processing.
India is selling investors on its large domestic market, manufacturing capacity and ability to support businesses as they expand. Its push for European investment also comes as competition for trade opportunities and industrial investment intensifies.
Pakistan faces its own challenge in attracting investment and creating jobs for its growing workforce.
Does Working Longer Mean Working Better?
Goyal’s comments have reopened the debate over working hours in India. Critics say employees should not have to give up weekends and personal time to prove their commitment.
The debate is not new. Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy previously called for young Indians to work 70 hours a week. Larsen & Toubro Chairman SN Subrahmanyan also faced criticism after advocating 90-hour working weeks, including Sundays.
For Pakistan, the bigger lesson is that economic growth requires more than long working hours.
Businesses need skilled workers, reliable electricity, modern technology, access to financing and policies that allow them to plan for the long term.
Investors also look at production costs, market size, supply chains and the ease of doing business before deciding where to put their money.
Pakistan needs to improve these conditions if it wants to compete for international investment.
A larger workforce can be an advantage, but only when workers have the skills, tools and opportunities to produce more value.
India is actively promoting these advantages to investors. Pakistan must build a stronger investment environment of its own, where businesses can grow, workers can earn better wages and productivity can improve.
The goal should not simply be to work longer hours, but to produce more in the time available.
