New Delhi: In light of widespread outrage following the death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant at Ernst and Young India, allegedly due to work-related stress, the Union Labour Ministry has announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Anna Sebastian Perayil’s death.
Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje expressed her sorrow over Anna’s passing and confirmed that the Ministry is examining allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment. “A thorough investigation is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice, and the @LabourMinistry has officially taken up the complaint,” she wrote in a post on X, responding to BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who called Anna’s death “very sad but also disturbing” and demanded a probe into her family’s claims.
A Heartbroken Mother’s Letter
In a letter addressed to Ernst & Young India chairman Rajiv Memani, Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, expressed her grief over the loss of her daughter, who had joined the company just four months prior. She urged the leadership to address a work culture that “glorifies overwork while neglecting the human being behind the role.”
“I am writing as a grieving mother who has lost her precious child, Anna Sebastian Perayil. My heart is heavy, and my soul is shattered, but I feel it’s necessary to share our story so no other family has to endure this pain,” she wrote.
Anita reflected on Anna’s accomplishments, noting that she was an outstanding student who excelled in school and college, passing the challenging chartered accountancy exam with distinction. “EY was her first job, and she was thrilled to be part of such a prestigious company. But on July 20, 2024, my world collapsed when I received the news that Anna had passed away at just 26.”
Anita recounted the events leading up to Anna’s death. “On July 6th, my husband and I traveled to Pune for Anna’s CA Convocation. She had been complaining of chest constriction at night for a week, so we took her to the hospital, where the ECG was normal. The cardiologist reassured us that it was likely due to lack of sleep and late meals. Despite this, Anna insisted on going to work, feeling the pressure to complete her tasks.”
The mother recalled that during their last days together, Anna was unable to fully enjoy the time with her family due to work obligations. “It was her dream to take us to her convocation with her own hard-earned money. She booked our flights, but even during those final days, she couldn’t relax because of the work pressure,” Anita wrote.
Anita described Anna’s grueling schedule, noting that she often worked late into the night and on weekends, leaving her no time to rest. “Her assistant manager once called her at night with a task that had to be completed by morning, and when she raised her concerns, she was told, ‘You can work at night; that’s what we all do.’”
“Anna would return to her room utterly exhausted, sometimes collapsing on her bed without even changing clothes, only to receive more messages for reports. She was dedicated and worked hard to meet deadlines. Despite our urging for her to quit, she wanted to learn and gain experience. But the overwhelming pressure ultimately became too much for her,” her mother lamented.
The family expressed their pain over the absence of any representatives from Ernst & Young at Anna’s funeral. “No one from EY attended Anna’s funeral. This absence at such a critical moment for an employee who dedicated herself to your organization until her last breath is deeply hurtful. Anna deserved better, and so do all employees who continue to work under these conditions,” her mother stated, hoping that Anna’s experience would lead to meaningful change.
