Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok, died in Kenya after being unable to travel home for two years. A vigil was held in her memory, raising concerns over working conditions, including claims of fatigue and restricted leave. Teleperformance denied denying her leave while former moderators have cited poor working conditions. Her family struggles to afford funeral arrangements.
Technology workers in Nairobi commemorated their colleague, Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, who passed away under unclear circumstances after being unable to return to Nigeria for two years. Employed as a content moderator for TikTok through the subcontractor Teleperformance Kenya, her body was discovered in her home three days after her death. Her colleagues mentioned she had often expressed fatigue and was eager to return home, raising concerns about working conditions at the company.
Teleperformance Kenya has not provided a detailed comment regarding Olubunmi’s death. They labeled claims about her denial of leave as “baseless and untrue.” Many content moderators in the region, working for various subcontracted firms, have previously reported poor salaries, lack of mental health support, extended hours, and workplace intimidation.
Additionally, more than 100 ex-Facebook content moderators have filed lawsuits against the firm, citing inadequate compensation and unfavorable working conditions. During the vigil, participants emphasized that these adverse conditions might have played a role in Olubunmi’s tragic death. Kauna Malgwi, a friend of Olubunmi, highlighted that many Nigerian workers at Teleperformance had been without work permits for two years and could not utilize their annual return ticket benefit.
Olubunmi’s family was notified of her death the day after her body was discovered. In an email, Teleperformance informed her brother of the incident and provided contact information for local authorities regarding investigations and burial logistics. Due to financial constraints, the family is contemplating requesting her church in Nairobi to conduct her burial, as they cannot afford to transport her body back home.
The tragedy surrounding Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi underscores critical issues in the working conditions for content moderators in Kenya. The lack of support, poor pay, and emotional distress faced by these workers raise serious questions about their management and the potential impact on mental health. This incident has prompted wider discussions on the treatment of content moderators and the responsibilities of tech companies regarding their employees’ well-being.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
