Kenyan tech workers mourn their colleague Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, who died after being unable to return to Nigeria for two years. Her death highlights poor working conditions faced by content moderators in Kenya. Teleperformance denies claims of withholding leave, while colleagues express concerns about the mental health impacts of their work environment, leading to lawsuits by former moderators.
Technology professionals in Kenya recently held a vigil to honor Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator who tragically passed away under mysterious circumstances after being unable to return to her Nigerian home for two years. Her decomposed body was discovered in her residence, raising concerns among her colleagues regarding the circumstances surrounding her death.
The cause of death remains unknown, yet her coworkers indicated that she had expressed feelings of exhaustion and a strong desire to return home. Despite the gravity of the situation, Teleperformance Kenya, her employer, did not respond to inquiries and labeled claims about withholding her leave as “baseless and untrue.”
Content moderators employed by subcontractors in Kenya have reported unfavorable working conditions, including inadequate pay, insufficient mental health resources, excessive hours, and a culture of intimidation. A group of over 100 former Facebook moderators has even filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging poor wages and unfair termination practices linked to its Kenya-based subcontractor, Samasource.
During the vigil, numerous content moderators from various tech firms highlighted that the poor working environment could have been a contributing factor in Olubunmi’s untimely death. “There are more than 100 Nigerians working under Teleperformance who haven’t had work permits for the last two years, preventing them from traveling home despite having annual return ticket benefits,” noted Kauna Malgwi, a friend of Olubunmi.
A day after her body was found, Teleperformance notified Olubunmi’s family of her demise via email, providing contact details for Kenyan officials involved in the investigation and arrangements for the autopsy and burial. Reports suggest that the family, unable to afford repatriation of her remains, may seek assistance from her church in Nairobi for burial arrangements.
The untimely death of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi serves as a grim reminder of the precarious working conditions faced by content moderators in Kenya. Her situation, compounded by an inability to return home for two years, underscores the pressing need for better labor practices and mental health support for workers in the tech industry. Moreover, the vigil held by her colleagues underscores the growing concern regarding the treatment of content moderators, who often face long hours and insufficient support.
Original Source: www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
