 |
|
The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant, at Ernst & Young (EY) has sparked a national outcry, prompting an investigation into alleged unsafe and exploitative work conditions at the firm. The incident has also brought the issue of workplace stress and burnout to the forefront of public discourse in India. Following Anna's death, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, reached out to her grieving parents, offering them his condolences and assuring them that he would fight for improved working conditions for professionals in India.
In a video call arranged by Praveen Chakravarty, the Chairman of the All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC), Gandhi expressed his sympathies to Anna's parents, praising their courage in speaking out during such a difficult time. He pledged to raise the issue of Anna's death and the larger problem of workplace stress in Parliament, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that her death would not be in vain. Gandhi highlighted the importance of creating a safer and fairer working environment for all professionals in India, acknowledging the immense pressure faced by many.
During the call, Anna's mother described the grueling work schedule that her daughter endured, detailing the long hours and weekend work that had left her exhausted and with little personal time. She expressed her heartbreak and anger, questioning the system that allowed her daughter to be overworked and stressed to the point of death. Her poignant words, “Children in India are still working like slaves…Why is this happening in our country? Why are children made to suffer like this?”, captured the public's sense of outrage and fueled the demand for greater accountability from businesses and policymakers.
Anna’s death, reportedly from cardiac arrest in July 2024, occurred after months of relentless workdays at S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global. The incident has led to calls for a thorough investigation into the working conditions at the firm, with the Ministry of Labour & Employment already conducting an inquiry. The incident has also spurred a wider conversation about workplace culture, the prevalence of burnout, and the need for employers to prioritize the well-being of their employees. This conversation has extended beyond the immediate context of Anna's death, highlighting the systemic issues that contribute to the growing problem of workplace stress in India.
Gandhi's engagement with Anna's family underscores the political sensitivity of the issue, with the opposition Congress party actively engaging with the concerns of working professionals. The incident has also highlighted the broader social and economic implications of workplace stress, raising questions about the balance between productivity and well-being. While the immediate focus remains on ensuring justice for Anna and preventing similar tragedies in the future, the larger question of how to create a more humane and sustainable work environment in India continues to be a pressing concern.
Source: EY employee death: Rahul Gandhi speaks with Anna's parents, says ‘I promised…’