The Union Labour Ministry has launched an investigation into the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant with Ernst & Young India.
Anna’s death has sparked widespread outrage, with allegations suggesting that excessive work pressure played a role in the tragedy. Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the ministry has taken up the complaint and will thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to Anna’s passing.
Anna’s death occurred just four months after joining EY in Pune, and her mother, Anita Augustine, expressed deep concern over the company’s demanding work culture. In a heartfelt letter to EY India’s chairman, Rajiv Memani, she detailed Anna’s deteriorating health due to stress and long working hours. Despite health issues, Anna continued to work tirelessly to meet the expectations of her employer.
“Anna would return to her room utterly exhausted, sometimes collapsing on the bed without even changing her clothes, only to be bombarded with messages asking for more reports,” the letter read.
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“This is not just about my daughter; it’s about every young professional who joins EY filled with hopes and dreams, only to be crushed under the weight of unrealistic expectations,” the letter further read.
The incident has sparked a discussion about the exploitative work environments in many corporate firms. EY India expressed condolences and stated they are taking the family’s correspondence seriously, emphasizing their commitment to employee well-being. However, the family’s complaint about the absence of company representatives at Anna’s funeral underscores their dissatisfaction with the firm’s response.
The investigation by the Labour Ministry aims to uncover the details surrounding Anna’s tragic death and address concerns about workplace stress in high-pressure corporate environments.
