Rahul assures EY employee's parents of fight for better working conditions | News from India

Gandhi assured them that he would fight for this cause in his capacity as leader of the opposition, it was said.

Gandhi also directed the AIPC Chairman to start an awareness movement in memory of Anna among all working people in India.

“Following Gandhi's instructions, AIPC will soon set up a helpline to collect information from corporate professionals on issues such as work stress and toxic work culture. AIPC will then try to prepare draft guidelines for better working conditions for professionals in the corporate sector,” the statement said.

In a post on X last night, senior Congressman and former AIPC chairman Shashi Tharoor said he had a deeply emotional and heartbreaking conversation with Sibi Joseph, the father of Anna Sebastian, who died of cardiac arrest after four months of extremely stressful, 14-hour, seven-day weeks at Ernst & Young.

“He suggested, and I agreed, that I raise the issue of passing in Parliament a fixed calendar for all workplaces, whether in the private or public sector, not exceeding eight hours a day, five days a week. Inhumanity in the workplace must be abolished by law, with strict penalties and fines for violators. Human rights do not stop at the workplace!” Tharoor said.

“We will raise this matter at the first opportunity during the next session of Parliament,” Tharoor said.

Perayil was a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant (CA) who allegedly died due to extreme work pressure at the company.

EY has announced that it will continue to improve workplaces and ensure healthy workplaces in its offices across the country.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment is investigating an alleged “unsafe and exploitative working environment” days after the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, who worked at SR Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global.

First published: 21 September 2024 | 3:30 p.m. IS