New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has sparked a heated debate following her comments regarding the tragic death of an Ernst & Young (EY) employee, which she attributed to an inability to cope with workplace stress. Her remarks have prompted widespread criticism, particularly from the Congress party, who have accused her of victim-blaming.Call for stress management in educationDuring a recent address at a private medical college, Sitharaman highlighted the need for colleges and universities to integrate stress management into their curricula. She stated that equipping students with skills to handle challenging situations is essential for their future. This call for action came in light of the heart-wrenching case of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant at EYs Pune office, who reportedly died from a heart attack exacerbated by extreme work pressure.Sitharaman remarked, “Our children go to colleges and universities for education and come out with flying colors. However, there is a need to prepare them for the pressures of the professional world.” While she did not mention Anna or EY by name, her reference was clear, and the timing was particularly sensitive.Familys outcry and public responseAnnas family has voiced their anguish over her working conditions, alleging that she was subjected to relentless pressure that severely affected her health. After her death in July, they claimed that no representatives from EY attended her funeral, igniting public outrage and calls for better working conditions within high-pressure industries.The broader societal conversation has since shifted towards employee well-being and mental health, emphasizing the need for systemic change in workplace environments.Criticism from CongressThe response from Congress has been sharp. General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal condemned Sitharamans comments, asserting that they reflect a disconnection from the struggles of Indias youth. He remarked, “The ruling regime and the finance minister can only see the pain of corporate giants like Adani and Ambani, not the pain of the hardworking and toiling young generation.” He highlighted the growing unemployment crisis, branding the current job market as one of “historic joblessness.”Governments stance on the matterThe government has indicated that it is looking into the work environment at EY in light of this incident. In defense of the company, EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani stated that Anna was assigned work consistent with her position and denied that work pressure was a contributing factor to her death. He assured that measures would be implemented to address concerns regarding workplace pressure and employee well-being.
