Congressman Shashi Tharoor has made preparations to advance legislation requiring a set work schedule for all businesses during the next Parliament session, a heartfelt response to the passing of Kerala-born chartered accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil.
After working arduous seven-day work weeks for months—often clocking in at 14 hours a day—Anna, an Ernst & Young employee, tragically died from a heart arrest.
Following an emotional discussion with Anna’s father, Sibi Joseph, Tharoor voiced his profound sadness, stressing that “human rights do not stop at the workplace.
He lambasted the unjustifiable expectations imposed on workers, saying that harsh rules and sanctions for offenders are necessary to end workplace inhumanity.
The goal of the proposed legislation is to create a standard work schedule that applies to both the public and commercial sectors, with a cap of eight hours each day, five days a week.
Tharoor’s dedication to this cause demonstrates the rising concern over worker welfare and the requirement for safety precautions in the workplace. The cry for change is loud and clear in the wake of Anna’s premature death as he gets ready to bring this up in Parliament.