[Scapeghost]

> I’m curious why they working so much? Is it because there isn’t much of a talent pool for the jobs?

Many social/cultural issues. A background of poverty adds to it. "Idling" at home or not hustling all the time is seen as undesirable or lazy, or even sinful. Spending time with the family is not valued that much, it's a waste of time! It's the wife's job to raise kids at home, and the husband's job to make money for them. If they're living together (as in if the husband's not in another city/country for work) they might go out 1-2 times a week to a shopping mall or KFC/McDonalds or a drive/stroll.

Kids and relatives usually go into the same job as each other (inheriting shops or manual labor). White collar/desk job workers also hustle as much as they can, usually working for over 8 hours every day, maybe taking a break on Fridays. Saturdays off are rare, and only in big companies with foreign (Western) employees who will of course not put up with this shit. Only government jobs and banks and big corporations might give a 2 day weekend.

[bjornjaja]

Does some of that work time allow people to innovate and grow as an individual (thus possibly adding greater, future benefits to the company)?

I’ve seen instances of western companies run by by-the-books business folks with no concept of the value a “learning culture” and how it can add to future growth.

Then again, not all people will use their time wisely and they simple stand around and chat all day.

[Scapeghost]

For most people in Middle Eastern/Southeast-Asian cultures, "grow as an individual" = knowing the right contacts to get promoted.

You either own the business, are chummy with the owners or their chums, or you generally remain where you were when you joined.

The concepts of personal growth and rewards based on merit are usually limited to Western-style organizations for employees with Western-style education etc.

Many middle/lower class people have been working every day for literally decades for less than US$1000 a month without ever seeing a raise.

[bsanr2]

It's true in America too, though. I'm sure it's not uncommon to see a competent worker get passed over for promotion multiple times while the boss's chums form a conga line through the position.

[Scapeghost]

But people in America have many protections. While in the UAE for example if you publicly complain about a company, boss or government you could get jailed/deported. People often don't even get paid for months and they have no real recourse.

[bsanr2]

Whether or not Americans have protections isn't the topic. It's whether we differ significantly in whether competency know-how or network and camaraderie decide your job prospects.

Also you can be fired for publicly complaining about an employer in at-will states, at the very least.

[booleandilemma]

Until I got to your last sentence I thought you were talking about the US.