Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian TikTok content moderator, was found dead in Nairobi after missing work for three days. Concerns have surfaced regarding her treatment and work permit issues at her outsourcing company. The Kenya Union of Gig Workers demanded investigations into her death and labor violations, highlighting broader issues in the gig work sector in Kenya.
Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian TikTok content moderator residing in Nairobi, was found dead on March 7 after missing work for three days. She had relocated to Kenya in 2022 and had not seen her family since. Working through a major outsourcing company, she faced challenges related to work permits and a potentially toxic workplace culture that reportedly denied her leave requests.
Despite her entitlement to an annual return ticket, colleagues highlighted that many moderators lacked work permits, which restricted their ability to take leave due to fears of harassment at the airport. The outsourcing company refuted these claims, asserting they maintained consistent communication with Olubumni’s family and local authorities regarding her death.
In response to the tragedy, the Kenya Union of Gig Workers (KUGWO) expressed outrage, calling for governmental intervention. Their statement emphasized their sadness over Olubumni’s death and highlighted her requests for leave, which were reportedly ignored. They raised issues regarding tax deductions, unfair work practices, and a lack of employee benefits.
The union urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the circumstances surrounding Olubumni’s death and called for a probe into labor violations and mistreatment. KUGWO also requested the company’s cooperation in allowing workers the right to join trade unions, as stipulated in Kenya’s Constitution.
This incident follows other reports of workplace-related distress, such as those involving Facebook content moderators who have sued for toxic working conditions and inadequate pay, resulting in numerous mental health issues. The situation sheds light on broader concerns over the treatment of gig workers in Kenya.
The tragic death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni has highlighted significant issues within the gig economy in Kenya, particularly concerning labor rights and workplace conditions. The calls for investigation from the Kenya Union of Gig Workers reflect a growing unrest regarding the treatment of overseas workers, shedding light on critical and systemic challenges they face. The incident necessitates urgent attention from authorities to safeguard the rights, health, and well-being of all gig workers.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
