I don't believe that "most modern countries" don't make exceptions for work that requires it or critical fields. In fact, those of us who've worked non-traditional shifts usually get some perk out of it. When I worked 12 hour shifts I'd work 3-5 days in a row, then get the same amount of days off. To this day 5 days on 5 days off is the best schedule I've ever had. I also had a friend working in mines up north in Canada. He'd work on-shift for weeks at a time and then get 3 weeks off with a flight paid anywhere he wants in the world. Is Canada not a modern country?
Is there anything about sitting in a line manufacturing electronics that requires 12 hours shifts?
Profit
And it isn't for the peons doing all the work...
Well……. The peons need to feed their kids and send them to school and shelter their families. So, yes, actually it is for them too. 12 hour shift jobs usually pay better and have longer contiguous time off. But, yes, these are all happy side effects. Profit doesn’t give a shit, and if it could find a way to get the same for less it would.
I never worked in a line, but have seen a lot of antiwork discussions, and also the discussions on commute ... I know 12 hour shifts are arduous, but you do 12 hour shifts for 4 days then on one hand you reduce 1-2 days of commute, and on the other hand maybe you can commute at better commute hours.
Most modern "developed" countries. 48 hour standard work weeks are pretty standard for developing countries.
India has a 48 hour work week which is unrelated to this article.