NEW DELHI: Urging young professionals struggling with workplace stress to “speak up”, All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC) on Saturday launched ‘For Anna For All:
Workplace Wellness
’ campaign named after
Anna Sebastian
Perayil, a 26-year-old a CA from Kochi whose alleged death due to extreme work pressure has triggered a nation-wide discussion on workplace stress.
The campaign launch follows the assurance given by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to the parents of Anna Sebastian during a video call with them on September 21 where he assured them that the Congress will take up the issue affecting professionals nationally and will also raise it in Parliament.
Under the ‘Speak-Up’ campaign, AIPC has launched an online platform — ‘www.profcongress.in/speakup’ to enable professionals to share their experience with regards to work conditions and incidents and also provide suggestions. According to AIPC complete anonymity will be maintained for professionals who want to remain anonymous.
“Millions of professionals across India are facing the same stress and pressure that Anna Sebastian experienced. It’s clear we must do more to support them,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.
“This initiative to create healthier working conditions for professionals is a crucial step in the right direction. I encourage everyone to get involved and help drive this movement forward. Together, we can make a meaningful difference,” he added.
Sharing the details, AIPC chairman Praveen Chakravarty highlighted that it was a multi-phase programme and an expert group will also be created to draft guidelines for offices across India on ways to improve workplace conditions and wide consultations will be held with professionals and their families.
According to AIPC, as a final step Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will raise this issue in Parliament seeking a constructive discussion on the draft guidelines and urge the government to pass a law.
Noting that the problem was widespread, Chakravarty disclosed that 3000 employees of one company have already written to the Professionals’ Congress about their stressful work conditions.
He also clarified that the campaign was “completely apolitical”; it was not an Opposition party’s charge against the government. “Nor was it an issue about any particular company or about revenge,” he added.