Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator in Kenya, died under unclear circumstances after being unable to return home to Nigeria for two years. Colleagues reported her struggles with fatigue and a longing for home. Teleperformance stated that claims regarding denied leave were untrue. The vigil highlighted serious concerns about the working conditions of content moderators in Kenya.
Technology professionals in Kenya gathered for a vigil on Tuesday to honor their deceased colleague, Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi. Olubunmi, a content moderator for TikTok employed by Teleperformance Kenya, passed away under mysterious circumstances after being unable to return to her hometown in Nigeria for two years. Her body was discovered in her residence after three days, raising concerns among her colleagues.
Colleagues indicated that the cause of her death remains unknown, noting that Olubunmi had expressed feelings of fatigue and a strong desire to return home. Teleperformance Kenya, when asked for comments, asserted in a statement that claims regarding Olubunmi being denied leave were “baseless and untrue.”
Workers in subcontracted roles have previously highlighted troubling working conditions, including below-average salaries, insufficient mental health support, extensive working hours, and intimidation. Over 100 former Facebook content moderators have pursued legal action against the social media entity for poor compensation and adverse working conditions imposed by its subcontractor, Samasource, based in Kenya.
During the vigil, numerous content moderators and data labelers from various international tech companies discussed how inadequate working conditions might have contributed to Olubunmi’s untimely demise. According to Kauna Malgwi, a friend of the deceased, more than 100 Nigerians employed under Teleperformance have lacked work permits for two years, which has prevented them from traveling home despite having annual ticket benefits.
Olubunmi’s family received notification of her passing a day following the discovery of her body by a neighbor. An email from Teleperformance was sent to her brother, informing him about her death and providing contact details for Kenyan officials. Malgwi disclosed that due to financial constraints, the family might seek assistance from Olubunmi’s church in Nairobi for her burial arrangements.
The vigil held by technology workers in Kenya underscores the significant challenges faced by content moderators, including poor working conditions and the emotional toll of prolonged separation from home. Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi’s tragic death has brought attention to these issues, prompting discussions about the mental health support needed for workers in the tech industry. The situation illustrates the urgent necessity for improved labor conditions and supportive measures for content moderators.
Original Source: www.ksat.com
