Today, On 7th October, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called for stricter enforcement of employment laws following the death of a Malayali EY employee, allegedly due to work-related stress. Vijayan emphasized the need for stronger regulations to protect workers’ rights and well-being. He stated that the issue would be raised with the central government for necessary action.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stressed on Monday the need for strict enforcement of employment laws across all sectors in the country.
Speaking at the state Assembly in response to a notice from Alappuzha MLA PP Chitharanjan about the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old resident of Kangarappady, Ernakulam, who was employed by Ernst & Young in Pune, the Chief Minister expressed his concern.
He assured that these concerns would be conveyed to the central government and pointed out ongoing issues in several industries, particularly the IT sector, where employees often experience excessive work pressure, job insecurity, and violations of labour rights.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that lease agreements for companies operating in IT parks include provisions requiring compliance with labour laws, giving employees the right to take legal action if these regulations are violated.
He further noted that while many companies have shifted to a ‘work from home’ model after the Covid pandemic, current labour laws do not clearly address time regulations for this mode of work.
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The death of Anna Sebastian Perayil on July 21 has sparked significant concerns about workplace pressures and the enforcement of labour rights within the IT sector. Reports indicate that Anna collapsed at her home, leading to her death. Her mother, Anita Sebastian, alleged in a letter that work-related stress at Ernst & Young (EY) contributed to her daughter’s passing.
Additionally, a recent investigation by Maharashtra’s Department of Labour revealed that the company was operating without a Shop Act license, which could lead to legal consequences for the global consulting firm.