Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, responding to the tragic death of 26-year-old Ernst & Young (EY) employee Anna Sebastian, highlighted the importance of strictly adhering to labor laws, especially in sectors like IT where employees often face relentless work pressure. Speaking in the state Assembly, he pointed out that employees are frequently subjected to work stress, threats of dismissal, and denial of labor rights. He emphasized that all labor laws must be followed by companies, including those operating in the state’s IT parks, with employees having the right to take legal action if these laws are not complied with.
Anna Sebastian’s death has sparked a national debate on toxic work cultures, especially in high-pressure industries like accounting and IT. Anna had joined EY’s Pune office in March 2024 but tragically passed away four months later. Her mother, in a letter to EY’s leadership, claimed that the workload, long hours, and stress contributed to her daughter’s untimely death. EY, however, denied that work pressure was the cause of her death. This denial has led to further outrage, with many current and former employees from various “Big Four” firms sharing their experiences of overwork and lack of work-life balance.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks about Anna’s death also ignited political backlash. Sitharaman had emphasized the need for educational institutions to include stress management in their curriculum but was criticized by opposition leaders, including MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, for “victim shaming.” Sitharaman later clarified that her comments were not meant to blame Anna but rather to stress the importance of supporting students and employees.
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This case has fueled broader discussions on India’s work culture, with political leaders and industry experts calling for stronger regulations to protect employees from overwork. It also highlights the need for companies to reassess their policies to prevent such tragedies in the future.
