EY Employee Death: TMC Leader Blames Government's Failure In Enforcing Employee Protection Laws

Following the death of a 26-year-old employee of the multinational consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune allegedly due to work pressure, many social commentators, including politicians, have come forward to speak against the overwhelming corporate culture and toxic work environment in the country. The woman lost her life because of the overwhelming workload, as per a letter penned by her mother.

Of the latest, Trinamool Congress MP, Saket Gokhale has written a letter to the Labour Secretary of Maharashtra government, saying the toxic work pressure is a “prevalent situation at many consultancies and other private firms.” The TMC leader blamed the government for failing to enforce the labour laws, saying the country has enough laws for the protection of employees from unfair practices, being underpaid, and being made to work additional hours. Gokhale alleged that the government, which is responsible for enforcing the laws, turns a blind eye when corporations and MNCs are involved.

Read Also: “We Have Provided All The Assistance…”: EY India Responds To CA Anna Sebastian Perayil’s Death

“These toxic work practices need to stop immediately at all private companies and employers. All employees deserve fair pay and regulated working hours,” wrote the TMC Rajya Sabha MP, adding that he has written to the Labour Secretary of Maharashtra demanding an urgent investigation into the working conditions at EY, which allegedly led to the death of its employee.

“She deserves justice along with every other employee in India who is suffering due to the callous and toxic atmosphere at these private firms,” the TMC leader wrote, further assuring that he will also be raising the issue during the Winter Session of Parliament.

Important – Regarding the recent death of an employee at the firm EY due to overworking

It has been extremely disturbing and concerning to read the recent letter of Anita Augustine where she described how her daughter Anna Sebastian Perayil passed away due to being made to… pic.twitter.com/h3LVsFvr7P

— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) September 19, 2024

Following  Anna Sebastian’s death, her mother, Anita Augustine wrote a letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, claiming that her daughter died four months after she joined the firm as her first job due to an “overwhelming workload.” According to the mother, Anna worked late into the night and on weekends, returned to her paying guest accommodation completely exhausted on most days, and was burdened with “backbreaking work” as a newcomer. The letter also expressed grudges, stating no one from the company attended its employee’s funeral.

Read Also: “Anna Deserved Better”: Priyanka Chaturvedi On EY Employee’s Tragic Death

“Anna was a school topper and a college topper, excelled in extracurricular activities, and passed her CA exams with distinction. She worked tirelessly at EY, giving her all to meet the demands placed on her. However, the workload, new environment, and long hours took a toll on her physically, emotionally, and mentally,” said the mother in her letter.

However, the company has now issued a statement expressing sadness over the untimely death of its employee, which the social media has called a typical corporate response.