Pune: The tragic death of a young Chartered Accountant due to work-related stress has reignited calls for the creation of a National Coordination Committee and Welfare Board to protect the interests of employees in the Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) sectors. The demands are being actively pursued by IT employee organizations.

CA Anna Sebastian Perayil (26) passed away, with her mother, Anita Sebastian, attributing her death to extreme work pressure. Anita’s serious allegations against the company have sparked renewed debates about the working conditions in the corporate sector and the necessity of such welfare measures.

Concerns have intensified among IT employees, prompting organizations like the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) to reach out to the Ministry of Labor and Employment, demanding action.

NITES has highlighted issues such as excessive working hours, stress-related health problems, and inadequate complaint mechanisms in its letter to the ministry. The organization stressed that these challenges need immediate attention to prevent further tragedies.

National Coordination Committee

The IT and ITES sectors are vital to India’s economic growth. However, employees often face serious stress, long working hours, and insufficient support systems.

NITES mentioned that they had approached the Ministry of Labor in 2022, and if proper measures had been implemented, incidents like Ana’s death could have been prevented. The organization has urged the ministry to take immediate steps to establish a National Coordination Committee and Welfare Board.

Despite the IT sector’s reputation for offering lucrative salaries, many employees struggle with the evolving work culture, characterized by increasing work pressure and long hours. These conditions have led to physical and mental health concerns.

Dinesh Pawar (name changed), an IT employee, expressed the need for a welfare board to address these issues and protect employees’ well-being.