What's happened
The death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, an Ernst & Young employee, has sparked outrage over India's demanding work culture. Her case highlights the pressures faced by young professionals and has led to a federal investigation into labor practices in the country.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Hannah Ellis-Petersen from The Guardian highlights the extreme working hours in India, noting that employees often work 47 hours a week, significantly more than their counterparts in Germany. She emphasizes the exploitative nature of informal employment and the toxic culture in corporate settings, particularly at Ernst & Young.
The South China Morning Post reports on the public outcry following Perayil's death, with many young Indians expressing their frustrations on social media. The article underscores the lack of respect for employee boundaries and the pressures faced by young professionals in India.
In contrast, Ernst & Young's Rajiv Memani stated that the allegations of high pressure are unfounded, asserting that the company values employee well-being. This denial has been met with skepticism from former employees who describe a brutal work environment.
Overall, the coverage illustrates a growing concern over labor practices in India, with calls for accountability and change in corporate culture.
How we got here
Anna Sebastian Perayil died in July 2024 after just four months at Ernst & Young, reportedly due to work-related stress. Her death has ignited discussions about the exploitative nature of India's corporate work environment, particularly for young professionals.
More on these topics
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Pune, also known as Poona, is a bustling metropolis in the Indian State of Maharashtra and the eighth most populous city in India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million as of 2020.
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Ernst & Young Global Limited, commonly known as Ernst & Young or simply EY, is a multinational professional services network with headquarters in London, United Kingdom. EY is one of the largest professional services networks in the world.