The death of TikTok moderator Ladi Anzaki Olubumni has prompted an investigation into labor practices within Kenya’s outsourcing industry. KUGWO is advocating for scrutiny of the company’s practices, including labor law violations and worker mistreatment. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of gig workers, underscoring the demand for improved labor rights.
The tragic death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian TikTok content moderator, has raised significant concerns regarding labor practices in Kenya’s outsourcing industry. Discovered in her apartment on March 7 after three days of absence, Olubumni’s situation has sparked outrage among gig workers. The Kenya Union of Gig Workers (KUGWO) has demanded a thorough investigation into her death, highlighting that her leave requests and return ticket to Nigeria were denied by her employer.
Reports indicate that Olubumni’s outsourcing firm promised her a return ticket to Nigeria annually. However, she, along with many other moderators, allegedly lacked the necessary work permit, raising fears of extortion or harassment should she attempt to travel home. The company denies these claims and asserts ongoing communication with Olubumni’s family and local authorities, while her colleagues express hesitancy in speaking out.
KUGWO is urging the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of Olubumni’s death. The union also calls on the Ministry of Labour to examine alleged labor law violations, unauthorized wage deductions, and mistreatment of workers at the outsourcing firm. Additionally, they demand recognition of the right for workers to join trade unions under Article 41 of the Kenyan Constitution.
This incident emerges amidst prior accusations against the same outsourcing company from Facebook content moderators in Kenya. These workers have previously filed lawsuits citing poor working conditions, inadequate pay, and a toxic work environment, claiming they were misled regarding the nature of the content they were to handle, resulting in psychological issues like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Consequently, this tragic incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced labor rights and protections for gig workers in the outsourcing sector.
Ladi Anzaki Olubumni’s death has illuminated serious labor practices in Kenya’s outsourcing industry, leading to calls for investigations and reforms. The demands from KUGWO for an inquiry into labor violations are critical, highlighting the need for transparency and protection in gig work. Furthermore, the ongoing challenges, as echoed by previous lawsuits from content moderators, reveal an urgent necessity to address the rights and well-being of such workers to prevent further tragedies.
Original Source: www.mwakilishi.com
