Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator in Kenya, died under unclear circumstances after two years without a trip home to Nigeria. Her employer, Teleperformance Kenya, has denied claims of denied leave. The vigil held by colleagues raised concerns about poor working conditions contributing to her death, as many tech workers report similar struggles.
In Nairobi, Kenya, technology workers gathered for a vigil honoring Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a content moderator for TikTok who died under mysterious circumstances after being unable to return to Nigeria for two years. Her body was found decomposing in her home, raising concerns among colleagues about the conditions leading up to her death. Reports indicate that Olubunmi had expressed feelings of fatigue and a deep desire to travel home.
Teleperformance Kenya, Olubunmi’s employer, has disputed claims that she was denied leave, labeling them as “baseless and untrue.” Despite this, there have been alarming reports from other content moderators regarding poor working conditions, characterized by low pay, inadequate mental health support, and excessive working hours, along with experiences of intimidation.
This incident coincides with a lawsuit involving over 100 former Facebook content moderators, accusing the company of substandard pay, detrimental working conditions, and unjust dismissals through the subcontractor Samasource.
During the vigil, participants discussed how the challenging work environment may have influenced Olubunmi’s tragic outcome. Kauna Malgwi, a friend, highlighted that more than 100 Nigerian employees at Teleperformance have lacked work permits for the past two years, preventing them from traveling home, despite having benefits for annual return tickets.
Following the discovery of Olubunmi’s body, her family learned of her death the next day via an email from Teleperformance, which also provided information on contacting local authorities regarding the autopsy and funeral arrangements. Unfortunately, her family is struggling financially and is exploring the option of asking her church in Nairobi to assist with burial.
The vigil for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi highlights significant concerns regarding the working conditions for content moderators in Kenya, particularly those employed by subcontractors. Her death, coupled with ongoing legal battles over unfair labor practices, raises critical questions about employee welfare in the tech industry. The situation reflects a broader need for improvements in working conditions and support systems for tech workers.
Original Source: www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
