'Even made her work on holidays, she finally decided to resign but...'

KOCHI: The central government ordered a probe into the incident where a chartered accountant of Ernst & Young (EY), collapsed and died two months ago, due to alleged work pressure. 26-year-old Anna Sebastian, a native of Ernakulam Vaikom, died after suffering a massive heart attack.

Union Minister of State for Labor Shobha Karandlaje announced the inquiry on the complaint filed by former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who through X asked for an investigation into the case. Rajeev Chandrasekhar also demanded an inquiry into the insecure and exploitative working conditions that have spread thick and fast across the country.

Anna’s death garnered national attention after her mother wrote a heart-wrenching letter to the company, which was published by a national media portal. Anna is the daughter of CB Joseph and Anita Augustine of Ernakulam. She joined the firm four months ago after passing the Chartered Accountant exams with high marks.

It was with sheer joy and excitement that Anna stepped into her first job on March 19th. However, it didn’t take long for her to realize the poor work-life management and soon she succumbed to death on July 20 in her hostel.

Anna’s mother then wrote a letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani highlighting the poor work environment of the office that gives zero respect to one’s health. This went viral across the nation. In the letter, she also mentioned the impudent standards followed in the firm as not even one colleague from the office attended her funeral ceremony.

In the past, Anna had informed her father about the horrid work life that was taking a toll on her mental balance and health. Often, Anna used to work until midnight at the office and sometimes slept on the office couch rather than travelling back to her hostel.

Despite advice from her parents to quit the job, Anna continued her job with one of the world’s Big 4 audit firms. In her last few days, Anna finally acquiesced to her father’s request and decided to resign. But it was too late.

“ Even during holidays, they made her work and sometimes on national holidays, she worked overtime with no time for any leisure activities, lest sleep.” Said Anna’s parents.