One commonly held belief about East Asian people and their way of life is their exceptionally strong work ethic. Many individuals in the Western world consider Asians to be the hardest working individuals on the planet. Numerous facts and official statistics support this perception, indicating that Asians indeed work longer hours than Europeans. In 1995, a Singaporean employed by a private company with at least 25 staff members worked an average of 47.1 hours per week, in addition to 4.6 hours of overtime (Department of Statistics, Singapore). In comparison, a Swedish individual typically works 34.1 hours per week (SCB Statistics Sweden). Japanese factory workers, on average, worked a total of 2124 hours in 1990, while French workers worked 1683 hours (Japan External Trade Organisation, JETRO).
Confucianism, as an ideology in Confucian-based societies in Asia, has played a significant role in the rapid economic growth experienced. Rohwer argues that Confucian values are not exclusive to China but prevalent throughout all of Asia. These values encompass diligence, perseverance, moderation, and education. In such societies, authority and unequal relationships form the foundation, be it between father and son or master and servant. Consequently, there is always someone who holds authority over another person’s life within this model. Although understanding Confucianism is not essential for societal stability according to Encyclopedia Britannica, adhering to its principles is crucial.
In Confucian societies, work ethic holds great importance with hard work being considered virtuous. If an individual fails to perceive work as virtuous in such a society, those with higher authority within the unequal relationship will remind them and guide them back on track. The emphasis on family further reinforces this hierarchical approach as individuals are primarily regarded as members of a family rather than independent entities themselves. All these factors contribute to strengthening incentives for hard work within Confucian societies while simultaneously limiting the possibility of choosing alternative lifestyles due to the strict implementation of the Confucian system.If someone is born into this system, they are inevitably obliged to work diligently. This obligation may stem from personal values or external influences that support these values. The work ethic in Confucianism shares similarities with Lutheran virtues, despite having positive and negative aspects. However, the unequal relationships within Confucian societies continue the tradition of a master-slave dynamic. It raises the question of whether individuals in Asia would pursue virtues beyond hard work if given genuine freedom of choice. Additionally, it is crucial to recognize that people in Asia may tirelessly labor out of necessity for survival.
While the expectation was that technology would lead to reduced work hours and more leisure time, the opposite seems to be true. Technological advancements have allowed for more tasks to be completed with fewer employees. However, I remain skeptical about the direct connection between increased productivity and shorter work hours due to a lack of motivation from management. When a company can produce goods faster and at a lower cost with technology, it seems impractical to simply let employees leave early. There are various alternatives that could be considered, such as entering new markets, lowering prices to gain market share, or reallocating funds and jobs within the company – all of which would benefit the corporation more than laying off employees or implementing shorter working hours/job-sharing initiatives resulting in lower salaries for individuals. Another option worth considering is telecommuting, which not only reduces the need for physical office space but also saves commuting time without negatively impacting employers. In my opinion, it appears more feasible to have technological options that allow for different work structures without affecting total working time. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that a significant part of our economy still relies on physical movement and people will continue visiting centralized locations for processing these physical objects.Furthermore, technology has the ability to support small businesses. However, it is unfortunate that based on my limited perspective, it seems that small enterprises actually need more time rather than less. If reducing working hours does not result in higher profits, the current tendency of longer work hours will continue.
The concept of “Voluntary Simplicity” has recently resurfaced as a response to the excessive spending and consumerism prevalent in society, along with increased working hours. Although the idea of reducing expenses and obtaining necessary items at a lower cost is not new, the term “Voluntary Simplicity” gained popularity during the 1970s. This movement is now experiencing a revival when consumer debt has reached its highest point. According to an article published on March 31, 1998, in the Economic Advertiser, consumer debt has risen by 41 percent over the past five years, surpassing $1.2 trillion. Personal bankruptcies have also increased by 6 percent. Currently, consumer loans account for 45 percent of bank lending compared to approximately 33 percent ten years ago. Credit card losses towards the end of last year amounted to 4.25 percent of total loans written off, up from 3.8 percent in the previous year. In just 1997 alone, credit card issuers sent out a record-breaking number of offers—2.4 million—to consumers.The number of emails sent in 1995 was twice as many as those sent in 1990. Visa and MasterCard circulation has also increased by 80 percent over the past five years, totaling 376 million cards.Nowadays, the average household owns four credit cards with balances totaling around $6,800 compared to two cards with balances of $2,340 just five years ago.Furthermore consumption debt on these credit cards now stands at $360 billion—double what it was in1990The VS movement reflects individuals’ inclination towards minimalism in their lives, whether driven by personal preferences, financial limitations, or busy routines. Those embracing this simplicity movement opt to possess fewer things so as to prioritize leisure activities and attain more free time.
Despite technological advancements, most people have not seen an increase in their free time. Instead of reducing work hours, technology has made processes more efficient and reduced the need for as many employees. As a result, individuals are working longer hours. Some people choose to live with less due to work demands and consumerism. It is uncertain whether the future will resemble the industrial revolution era where work was constant or a futuristic world depicted in science fiction where machines handle all tasks, allowing individuals to pursue their interests. However, unless businesses acknowledge that shorter work hours can lead to higher profits, it is unlikely that the trend of longer workdays will change soon.
