The Union Labour Ministry launched an investigation into the death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, a chartered accountant employed by Ernst & Young (EY). Her mother alleges that overwork and job-related stress led to her untimely death. The probe initiated following a complaint that highlighted the stressful working conditions surrounding her passing.
New Delhi: The Centre initiated an investigation into the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant employed at Ernst & Young (EY), amid allegations that her death caused by work-related stress. On Thursday, the Union Labour Ministry announced it had officially taken up the complaint and will examine the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje expressed condolences in a post on X, stating,
“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice, and the @LabourMinistry has officially taken up the complaint.”
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar called for an investigation into the claims made by Anna Sebastian Perayil’s mother following her tragic death.
In a post on X, Chandrasekhar described the situation as both “sad and disturbing” and urged government officials to look into the matter.
He wrote,
“This is very sad but also disturbing at many levels. I request the Government of India @mansukhmandviya @ShobhaBJP to investigate the allegations made by the mother about an unsafe and exploitative work environment that claimed the life of young, full of future Anna Sebastian Perayil,”
Earlier, Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, penned a letter to the company’s chairman, Rajiv Memani, urging leadership to reform a work culture that “seems to glorify overwork while neglecting the very human being behind the role.”
In a heartfelt letter, Anna Sebastian Perayil’s mother, Anita Augustine, expressed her grief, sharing the pain of losing her daughter.
She wrote,
“I am writing this letter as a grieving mother who has lost her precious child, Anna Sebastian Perayil. My heart is heavy, and my soul is shattered as I pen these words, but I believe it is necessary to share our story in the hope that no other family will have to endure the pain we are going through,”
She emphasized how the workload, new environment, and long hours had taken a significant toll on Anna’s physical, emotional, and mental health.
The letter highlighted,
“She began experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress soon after joining, but she kept pushing herself, believing that hard work and perseverance were the keys to success,”
In response, Ernst & Young (EY) issued a statement addressing the death of their employee, expressing their sorrow.
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The company said,
“We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic and untimely passing in July 2024, and our deepest condolences go to the bereaved family. Anna was a part of the Audit team at S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune for a brief period of four months, joining the firm on 18 March 2024. That her promising career was cut short in this tragic manner is an irreparable loss for all of us,”
EY further noted,
“While no measure can compensate for the loss experienced by the family, we have provided all the assistance as we always do in such times of distress and will continue to do so. We are taking the family’s correspondence with the utmost seriousness and humility. We place the highest importance on the well-being of all employees and will continue to find ways to improve and provide a healthy workplace for our 100,000 people across EY member firms in India.”
As the investigation unfolds, the case has raised critical questions about workplace culture, employee welfare, and the pressures faced by young professionals in high-stress environments like the corporate world.