The tragic passing of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, an EY employee from Kerala, allegedly due to work pressure, has reignited discussions about the toxic corporate culture prevalent in India. A Redditor has added to the debate, posing a crucial question: "Can Indians stop being treated as slaves?" Their plea for stronger labour laws reflects growing frustration with the relentless demands and harsh conditions many employees face in corporate India.
A scathing critique of work culture in India
"I'm not sure if it's specific to India, but the way Indians are being treated in our own Indian companies and international companies is honestly worrisome," the Redditor begins, expressing concern about the country's work culture.
They describe work-life balance in India as "practically a scam," noting that timezones and Indian festivals are often disregarded by employers.
They go on to question the country's self-perception: "After all this, we dare to call our country a 'global power'? A global power where people are being treated as slaves? What in the modern-day colonialism is this," they question.
They point out the irony of foreign clients showing more respect for deadlines holidays, and balance, while Indian bosses, who boast about national pride, treat their employees harshly.
The Redditor also highlights the casual acceptance of verbal abuse in the workplace emphasising the urgent need for change, "It's high time that they start coming up with better labour laws. Working overtime on a few days is fine, but making it a norm is NOT."
In the comments, another user highlighted a different issue: "Money comes from foreign countries. And India's only appeal in the software market is that we can make cheaper software. Not better, cheaper, If we don't slave away our 'human resource' then someone else will, like the Philippines and Vietnam. And it's already happening slowly. And with our tech expertise and investment trends, we don't have a lot of bargaining power."
In the face of inadequate labour laws and growing competition from Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam, it is India's corporate employees who are bearing the brunt. How many more tragedies like that of Anna Sebastian Perayil will it take before we confront these issues and push for meaningful change?