The death of Nigerian TikTok moderator Ladi Anzaki Olubumni in Nairobi has sparked outrage over worker treatment in Kenya’s tech sector. Denied leave due to a toxic work culture, Olubumni’s situation reflects systemic issues faced by tech workers, leading to strikes and calls for better protections. Advocacy for workforce welfare has intensified following her passing, highlighting a need for change.
A Nigerian TikTok content moderator, Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, was found dead in her Nairobi apartment after missing work for three days. Arriving in Kenya in 2022 to work for TikTok through Teleperformance, a French outsourcing company, Olubumni had not been able to visit her family. Reports indicate she requested leave multiple times but faced denial due to the company’s work permit policies and a toxic work environment.
Employees at Teleperformance claimed that many moderators lacked business permits, limiting their ability to return to their home countries out of fear of harassment at the airport. Despite these allegations, Teleperformance issued a statement asserting they were collaborating with local authorities and Olubumni’s family to uncover the circumstances surrounding her death.
A colleague expressed concern over Olubumni’s situation, stating she had been denied her contractual right to annual leave. The colleague recounted that Olubumni had pleaded her case to management, which allegedly resulted in her being mocked while seeking help. These violations brought about a significant outcry regarding the treatment of workers in Kenya’s tech industry.
As a response to Olubumni’s death, her coworkers have initiated strikes protesting the company’s neglect and for failing to check on her welfare after she missed work. They only discovered her body after attempting to visit her after days of unanswered communications. The silence from Teleperformance has incited anger within the community, highlighting ongoing concerns about the welfare of content moderators working in high-pressure environments.
Mophat Okinyi, a Kenyan content moderator and TIME100 AI honoree, confirmed the incident, advocating for better protections for workers in the industry. He noted that a vigil was being organized for Olubumni and has previously petitioned for government investigations into the exploitative conditions faced by content moderators in Kenya’s burgeoning technology sector.
This tragic event underscores the pressing need for awareness around the often-hidden difficulties faced by tech workers in Kenya amidst its reputation as a technology hub in Africa. It parallels earlier incidents within the sector, including a previous case of a fintech entrepreneur who died under troubling circumstances, pointing to the psychological impacts of the industry.
The tragic death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni has resulted in widespread anger and protests against Teleperformance, bringing attention to the issues of worker welfare in Kenya’s tech sector. Failing to provide necessary support or respond to concerns about Olubumni’s well-being, the incident raises significant questions about the treatment of content moderators and the conditions in which they work. Active advocacy and calls for better protections are essential to address these systemic issues.
Original Source: www.citizen.digital
