The tragic death of 26-year-old EY employee Anna Sebastian has sparked a national debate about workplace stress and excessive work hours faced by young Indian women.
Anna's mother attributed her death to work stress, citing long hours, night shifts, and deadlines. This incident highlights the broader issue of corporate cultures demanding high working hours without adequate support systems, particularly for women in male-dominated industries.
India's Women Work Longest Hours Globally:
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Indian women work the most overtime in professional and technical fields worldwide. On average:
- Women in IT, communication, and media sectors work 56.5 hours/week.
- Female scientific and technical employees work 53.2 hours/week.
- Younger women in India work 57 hours/week in IT and media, and 55 hours/week in scientific and technical roles.
Global Comparisons
Working hours vary significantly across countries:
- Australia: 38 hours/week for women in professional sectors.
- Japan: 42 hours/week for women in similar professions.
- Brazil: 44 hours/week for women in professional and technical industries.
- Canada: 36 hours/week for women in technical occupations.
Gender Gap and Work Stress:
Despite heavy workloads, women's representation in Indian workplaces remains low:
- Only 8.5% of professional, scientific, and technical roles are held by women.
- Female participation in technical fields in Norway, Finland, and Denmark exceeds 40%.
Corporate India Under Scrutiny:
Anna's death has highlighted the psychological and physical costs of corporate pressures in India. EY faced criticism for its response, and calls for reforms and regulatory changes have intensified.
Key Takeaways:
- Young Indian women face excessive work pressure and long hours.
- India's corporate culture demands high working hours without adequate support.
- Regulatory changes are needed to cap working hours, enhance mental health support, and promote work-life balance.
References:
1)“Statistics on working time - ILOSTAT.” 2024. ILOSTAT. June 8, 2024. https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/working-time/#.
2)https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_protect/@protrav/@travail/documents/publication/wcms_864222.pdf
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Vaishnavi Dalvi/MSM)
