Death of EY employee: Ministry of Labor awaits report, expected in 7-10 days

The Union Labour Ministry has sought information from government agencies on the recent death of an EY employee and is awaiting the report, which is expected to be available in the next seven to 10 days. The government will act on the basis of this, Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday.

“We have obtained the information from the state authorities. They should be available within the next seven to ten [days],” he told reporters. Police and autopsy reports would also be received and the government would also talk to the company, he said.

On July 20, 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, a chartered accountant from Kerala who was employed by Ernst & Young (EY) Pune, died of “work stress,” her mother claimed. She had joined the firm just four months ago. Her mother, Anita Augustine, had also sent an email to EY CEO Rajiv Memani criticizing the firm for encouraging excessive work.

Her death has raised questions about India’s excessive work culture.

Mandaviya had earlier stated that action will be taken based on the facts that emerge during the investigation. According to ANI, Mandaviya had said, “Whether it is a white collar job or a labourer, when a citizen of the country dies, it is natural to feel sad. The case is being investigated and action will be taken based on the facts that emerge during the investigation.”

On September 19, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje said the Labour Ministry had registered the complaint. “We are 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 that the Ministry of Justice and Labour formally registers the complaint,” she said on X.

Memani, Chairman and Managing Director of EY India, had expressed his sadness over Perayil’s demise in a LinkedIn post. “I would like to emphasise that the wellbeing of our employees is my top priority and I will be personally committed to this goal. I am absolutely committed to creating a harmonious workplace and will not rest until this goal is achieved,” he had said.