Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian TikTok moderator in Kenya, was found dead in her apartment after missing work for three days. Concerns over toxic work culture, denied leave requests, and possible labor law violations have emerged from her tragic death, leading to demands for investigations by the Kenya Union of Gig Workers. The incident spotlights ongoing issues regarding the treatment of gig workers.
The tragic death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian TikTok moderator in Nairobi, has sparked outrage among gig workers in Kenya. Found deceased in her apartment on March 7, Olubumni had not been seen for three days, raising alarms about her well-being. She relocated to Kenya in 2022 to work as a content moderator with a leading outsourcing company, yet her family had not visited her since her move.
Despite being entitled to an annual return ticket to Nigeria, reports indicate that Olubumni was denied leave due to issues surrounding her work permit and a reportedly toxic company culture. Many moderators within the company lack work permits, which hampers their ability to return home without risk of harassment at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The company has refuted these claims, asserting that they are cooperating with local authorities and Olubumni’s family to investigate her death. They also denied allegations that they instructed employees not to discuss the incident, although sources suggest reluctance among colleagues to speak publicly about it.
In response to the incident, the Kenya Union of Gig Workers (KUGWO) publicly condemned Olubumni’s death. Their statement highlighted concerns regarding her denied requests for leave and return tickets, along with other issues including unremitted tax deductions and a lack of employee benefits. KUGWO is calling on authorities to investigate the circumstances of her death and address labour law violations.
The organization is also demanding rights for gig workers to join trade unions for better representation as guaranteed by Kenya’s Constitution. This tragedy occurs amidst ongoing controversies related to toxic work environments for content moderators, including a lawsuit from Facebook moderators over similar grievances that include work-related mental health issues.
The mysterious death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni has highlighted significant issues within the gig economy in Kenya, particularly regarding worker rights and well-being. Calls for investigations into her death and the work conditions at her outsourcing company emphasize the need for increased oversight and protections for gig workers. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by migrant labor and the urgent need for reform in labor practices in Kenya.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
