The Union Labour Ministry announced on Thursday that it will officially investigate the death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, who worked at Ernst and Young (EY) in Pune. Her mother, Anita Augustine, blamed the company for her daughter’s “backbreaking workload” and “work stress.” Anna passed away on July 21, just four months into her job at the accounting firm.
Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje confirmed the probe on social media. “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,” she stated. The Ministry has taken up the complaint officially.
Eyewitness Accounts and Company Response
In her letter to EY Chairman Rajiv Memani, Augustine expressed her grief, stating that the firm’s work culture “seems to glorify overwork while neglecting the very human being behind the role.” She noted that Anna returned home “utterly exhausted” but was constantly “bombarded” with work messages. Augustine described her daughter as “a fighter to the core,” but added that the overwhelming pressure proved too much for her.
Facing backlash on social media, EY India expressed its sorrow over Anna’s death and promised to take the family’s concerns seriously. “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,” the company stated.
Meanwhile, Anna’s father, Sibi Joseph, stated that they have no plans for legal action against the company. “My wife wrote the letter to the Chairman to ensure that such a thing should not happen to any other person,” he said. Joseph emphasized their focus on seeking justice rather than legal retribution.
