Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator from Nigeria, died in unclear circumstances after not being able to return home for two years. Her colleagues held a vigil highlighting poor working conditions affecting content moderators in Kenya. Teleperformance denied allegations of denied leave, while many moderators report inadequate pay and support. Olubunmi’s family struggles with burial costs, considering assistance from her church.
In Nairobi, Kenya, a vigil was held by technology workers for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok, who passed away under unclear circumstances after not being able to return home for two years. Her decomposing body was found in her residence three days after her death, raising concerns among colleagues about her well-being prior to her passing. They reported that she was suffering from fatigue and desperately wanted to go home.
Teleperformance Kenya, the subcontractor employing Olubunmi, did not respond to requests from The Associated Press (AP) but claimed through a statement that allegations regarding her denied leave were “baseless and untrue.” Fellow content moderators have previously reported challenges in their working environment, citing inadequate compensation, lack of mental health resources, prolonged hours, and workplace intimidation.
The plight of content moderators extends beyond Olubunmi’s case, as over 100 former Facebook content moderators have filed a lawsuit against Facebook, alleging adverse working conditions, poor pay, and unfair terminations via subcontractors like Samasource. At the vigil, numerous content moderators expressed concerns that their work environment could have directly influenced Olubunmi’s tragic demise.
Kauna Malgwi, a friend of Olubunmi’s, revealed that over 100 Nigerian workers at Teleperformance had been deprived of work permits for two years, preventing them from utilizing their annual return ticket benefits to visit Nigeria. Following Olubunmi’s death, her family was notified a day later, with Teleperformance contacting her brother to explain arrangements for the investigation and burial.
Due to financial constraints, Olubunmi’s family is contemplating seeking help from her church in Nairobi for burial assistance.
The vigil for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi highlights the dire working conditions that content moderators face in Kenya, including inadequate support and mental strain. Olubunmi’s untimely death points to systemic issues within tech labor practices, prompting greater scrutiny and calls for reform. The necessity for improved working conditions and support mechanisms for content moderators is increasingly recognized as essential to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Original Source: www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
