Kerala CM stresses strict adherence to Labour Laws following EY employee's death

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan underlined the importance of strictly adhering to labour laws across all sectors in the country. Speaking in the state Assembly on Monday, Vijayan highlighted that employees in some sectors, including the IT industry, are subjected to strenuous work, threats of dismissal and denial of labour rights.

The Chief Minister made these remarks while responding to a Calling Attention motion regarding the recent death of Anna Sebastian, a 26-year-old chartered accountant who allegedly died due to work-related stress just four months after joining Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune.

Vijayan underlined the necessity of ensuring that labour laws are implemented properly in every sector. He also noted that companies operating in IT parks in Kerala are bound by lease agreements that stipulate compliance with all state Labour Laws. If these laws are violated, employees have the right to seek action under the existing legal provisions, he said.

The Chief Minister pointed out that, although more companies adopted the work-from-home model after the COVID-19 pandemic, current labour laws do not specify any framework for regulating such arrangements. He assured that the concerns raised during the motion would be communicated to the Union Government.

Following Anna Sebastian Perayil's death, her mother wrote to EY India chairman Rajiv Memani, alleging that her daughter faced excessive workload and extended working hours, which ultimately took a toll on her health. However, EY denied these allegations. Sebastian, who passed the Chartered Accountancy exams in 2023, tragically died in July.

Agencies