Following widespread anger over the death of 26-year-old chartered accountant Anna Sebastian, who worked at Ernst & Young India and reportedly died due to work-related stress, the Union Labour Ministry has announced an investigation. Anna's death, reportedly linked to work-related stress, has sparked widespread concern about workplace conditions.

"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. We are committed to ensuring justice & @LabourMinistry has officially taken up the complaint. @mansukhmandviya," Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje said in a post on X.

The ministry's response came after a post from BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar brought attention to the issue. “This is very sad but also disturbing at many levels. I request Govt of India @mansukhmandviya @ShobhaBJP to investigate these allegations of unsafe and exploitative work environment that claimed the life of young, full of future Anna Sebastian Perayil,” his post said.

Family blames excessive workload

The father of Anna Sebastian has said that the excessive workload at Ernst and Young (EY) in Pune contributed to her death. Her father also said that he received no assistance from the company in getting Anna to the hospital or bringing her home after her death. A letter from Anna's mother to the CEO of EY is currently being discussed on social media platforms.

Two weeks before her death, Anna was hospitalised for chest pain, which doctors attributed to lack of sleep and irregular eating habits. Due to her demanding schedule, she was unable to spend time with her parents when they attended her CA graduation ceremony in Pune, and her mother had noted in the letter that Anna arrived late for the event.