On the first day of the winter session of parliament, the spotlight fell on a deeply troubling issue that has shaken the nation’s conscience: the crushing work-related stress rampant in India’s corporate culture. Opposition MPs raised a poignant question about the tragic death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young professional who succumbed to relentless job pressures at a leading consultancy firm in Pune. In response, Shobha Karandlaje, the minister of state for labour and employment, offered a reply so perfunctory and evasive that it only underscored the government’s apparent indifference to a crisis affecting millions of workers caught in an exploitative system.
Two months ago, Perayil’s mother’s desperate plea to the head of Ernst & Young (EY) India shook the nation. Her daughter, a bright and hopeful young woman with so much to offer, tragically lost her life to the overwhelming pressures and exhausting demands of her job. Perayil’s tragic death exposed the harsh realities of an increasingly exploitative work culture where relentless hours and grueling workloads have become the norm, pushing workers to the brink in the name of ambition and profit. Her mother’s heart-wrenching letter demanded systemic change, prompting the labour and employment minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, to order a thorough investigation.
However, that investigation report — originally due within 10 days — remains conspicuously absent, with no explanation for the delay. As the winter session of parliament unfolds, the deafening silence from the authorities is a glaring indictment of inaction. Every passing day brings more stories of exploitation, disillusionment and shattered dreams, painting an unsettling picture of a work environment that thrives on dehumanisation and disregard for worker welfare.
Perayil’s story is a painful reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform. It serves as a clarion call for lawmakers to address the exploitative practices deeply entrenched in India’s corporate culture.
The need to define modern slavery
India is yet to include modern slavery in its legislative framework. Modern day slavery extends beyond forced labour, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude; it includes unsafe working conditions, extreme mental pressure and unreasonable working hours that strip workers of their dignity. In the absence of comprehensive laws addressing these issues, young professionals, trainees and women are particularly vulnerable, often coerced or deceived into oppressive work environments that erode their rights and freedoms.
The fragmentation of India’s legislation on workplace exploitation only compounds the problem. The existing labour laws, scattered across various Acts such as the outdated Factories Act of 1948 and the Shops and Establishments Acts of various state governments, fail to address the realities of today’s work culture. These antiquated provisions, originally crafted for a vastly different era, are ill-equipped to tackle the gruelling demands and mental pressures of modern workplaces. Notably, major consultancy firms, including multinational companies, fall under the purview of the Shops and Establishments Act, which is governed at the state level. However, these laws remain ineffective in curbing the exploitative practices that define contemporary corporate environments, leaving millions of workers vulnerable and unprotected.
Sections 143 to 146 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, take a step toward defining exploitation within the context of trafficking. Yet, these efforts fall short, and other laws, like the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 and the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 do little to protect workers from the overwhelming demands that degrade their mental and physical well-being.
Also read: Anna Sebastian Perayil’s Death Shows How Capitalist Labour Takes the Life of the Worker
Lessons from the UK’s modern slavery act
India need not look far for a model of effective reform. The UK’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act sets a powerful global benchmark, demonstrating how transparent, accountable practices can dismantle exploitative corporate cultures.
At its core, the UK’s strategy rests on four pillars: pursue, prevent, protect and prepare. These pillars guide efforts to prosecute offenders of modern slavery, shield people from exploitation and build a strong safety net for vulnerable individuals. Section 54 of the Act, which requires companies to publish annual anti-slavery statements, compels businesses to take responsibility for their actions and creates a direct link between corporate reputation and ethical standards. The statements are made accessible on the government’s repository and the company’s website, along with previous years’ statements for monitoring progress. By openly disclosing their anti-exploitation efforts, companies are held to account in the public eye, fostering a culture where ethics align with business image.
Building a humane work culture
Fortunately, the framers of the Indian constitution paved a strong path for future lawmakers to spark a social revolution, one that promises freedom from coercion for all citizens. Article 23 boldly prohibits forced labour while Article 38 resonates with the Preamble’s vision of a just social order, ensuring that justice — in social, economic and political spheres – flows through every institution across the nation like a vital current.
The present lawmakers now have a chance to breathe life into these ideals by creating cohesive legislation to protect India’s workforce from exploitation. This new framework should include secure hotlines, whistleblower protections and clear definitions of exploitative practices to empower employees to report abuse without fear. When individuals feel safe to speak up, exposing toxic practices becomes possible, leading to real change within the corporate culture.
Perayil’s life and her mother’s plea for change must not become another forgotten story; they should be a catalyst for urgent, transformative action. Her loss is a stark reminder that without strong protections, countless others will continue to endure exploitation in workplaces that erode dignity and disregard well-being. By drawing from global models like the UK’s Modern Slavery Act and strengthening our own legislative frameworks, India can safeguard workers’ rights and promote a corporate culture that respects humanity over profit. The lawmakers have a responsibility – and the power – to prevent future tragedies, fostering workplaces that uphold justice, dignity and safety for all.
George Lawrence George currently works with the Congress.
