The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a detailed response from the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment regarding the tragic death of a young chartered accountant in Pune in July. Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old employee at Ernst & Young (EY), had died in July 2024, allegedly due to excessive workload and intense work pressure, according to her family.
In a statement issued here, the NHRC, citing media reports, expressed grave concern over the circumstances surrounding Perayil’s death. It called on the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment to provide a comprehensive report on the case, including details of the ongoing investigation.
According to the NHRC, the reports surrounding Perayil’s death raise serious concerns about the mental and physical toll of corporate work culture on young employees, particularly those in high-pressure industries like finance, consulting, and law.
Stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, and the relentless pursuit of impossible targets have, the NHRC noted, led to “grave violations of their human rights.”
In response to the growing concerns around workplace safety, the NHRC has constituted a ‘Core Group on Business and Human Rights.’ This body will review current labour legislations and regulations, aiming to create robust recommendations for both central and state governments.
