India's 'hustle' work culture under microscope after deaths

Suicides, unexplained deaths chalked up to demands for long working hours

Indians work an average of 48 to 50 hours per week, well above a global average of 34 to 36 hours, according the International Labour Organization (ILO). (Photo by Ken Kobyaashi)

QURATULAIN REHBAR, Contributing writer

October 11, 2024 12:18 JST

Updated on October 11, 2024 17:05 JST

NEW DELHI -- The untimely death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant in India has sparked a debate about the work culture of a country with one of the world's highest burnout rates.

India's Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched a probe into the July death of Anna Sebastian Perayil who had been working at consultancy Ernst & Young (EY) for just four months.