Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has pledged to advocate for improved working conditions in India following the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, an employee of Ernst & Young, who allegedly succumbed to extreme work pressure.
During a video call on Saturday with Anna’s parents, facilitated by All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC) Chairman Praveen Chakravarty, Gandhi expressed his condolences and praised the family for their courage in speaking out during this difficult time. Chakravarty visited the family’s home in Kochi to arrange the conversation.
In a statement released by the AIPC, Gandhi assured the grieving family that he would fight for the cause of better workplace conditions for professionals across the country. He also directed Chakravarty to launch an awareness campaign in Anna’s memory to highlight the importance of safe and sustainable work environments for all professionals in India.
“Following Gandhi’s instructions, AIPC will announce a helpline soon to collect information from corporate professionals about issues related to work stress and toxic work culture. Post which, AIPC will seek to come up with draft guidelines for better working conditions for professionals in the corporate sector,” the statement said.
In a post on X last night, senior Congress leader and former AIPC Chairman Shashi Tharoor shared that he had a deeply emotional conversation with Sibi Joseph, the father of Anna Sebastian, who passed away from a cardiac arrest after enduring four months of extreme stress, working seven days a week for 14 hours a day at Ernst & Young.
“He suggested, and I agreed, that I raise the issue of legislating, through Parliament, a fixed calendar for all workplaces, whether in the private sector or the public, that would not exceed eight hours a day, five days a week. Inhumanity at the workplace must be legislated out of existence with stringent punishment and fines for offenders. Human rights do not stop at the workplace!” Tharoor said.
“Will raise this matter at the first opportunity during the next session of Parliament,” Tharoor added.
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant, allegedly died due to extreme work pressure at Ernst & Young (EY).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, EY expressed deep sorrow over Anna’s untimely passing in July 2024, stating, “We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic and untimely passing in July 2024.”
The firm has maintained contact with her family since her death, offering support. However, the family recently raised concerns with the company, citing “excessive workload” as a contributing factor. EY has pledged to continue improving and fostering a healthy work environment across its offices nationwide. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has launched an investigation into claims of an “unsafe and exploitative work environment” following Anna’s tragic death while employed by S R Batliboi, an EY Global member firm.