Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian TikTok content moderator, was found dead in Kenya after being absent from work for three days. Colleagues allege her leave requests were denied, citing issues with work permits and a toxic culture at Teleperformance, her employer. Protests have erupted, calling attention to the welfare of tech workers and the exploitative conditions in the industry.
The tragic death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok, has spurred protests in Kenya. Found deceased in her Lower Kabete apartment on March 7, she had been unaccountably absent from work for three days. She relocated to Kenya in 2022 and worked for Teleperformance, a notable outsourcing firm attached to TikTok, and had not returned to her home country since then.
Despite her right to an annual return ticket, Olubumni’s requests for a leave of absence were reportedly denied, mainly due to issues surrounding her work permit and a toxic working environment. Colleagues expressed concern that most moderators were not issued work permits and might face harassment when seeking to return to their home countries. Teleperformance refuted these claims, asserting that they remained in communication with local authorities and have been supportive of Olubumni’s family.
A colleague revealed under anonymity that Olubumni, who had worked with the company since 2022, faced too many obstacles in securing leave. “The deceased is a Nigerian national… she went home only once after begging and crying to the management,” they shared. Furthermore, they highlighted Olubumni’s desperate pleas for a work permit, which were met with mockery from her supervisors.
Olubumni’s demise has drawn attention to workers’ welfare within Kenya’s technology sector and sparked a strike among colleagues decrying the neglect of employees’ health and needs. When Olubumni failed to appear for work, no welfare check was initiated by the company. It was only after colleagues investigated her absence that her body was found.
This incident has deepened discussions about the conditions faced by content moderators, who often work in emotional distress. Mophat Okinyi, a recognized Kenyan content moderator, confirmed the severity of the situation, stating they are organizing a vigil in her honor and calling for improved protections for fellow moderators. “We’re doing a vigil in Nairobi for the deceased [today],” Okinyi disclosed, emphasizing the urgent need for an investigation into exploitative labor conditions in this emerging sector.
Teleperformance has not yet addressed the incident publicly, raising further questions about the tragic realities faced by workers in Kenya’s tech boom. This is not an isolated incident; parallels have been drawn to another recent case involving the co-founder of Kotani Pay, further highlighting the hidden struggles of individuals within the industry.
The death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni has triggered significant outrage and protests over the treatment of content moderators in Kenya’s burgeoning tech industry. Concerns surrounding work permits, employee welfare, and exploitative work environments have been prominently highlighted. This incident not only sheds light on the challenges faced by tech workers in Kenya but also calls for immediate action to improve working conditions and psychological support within the sector. The call for investigations into such exploitative practices must be heard as the sector continues to grow.
Original Source: www.citizen.digital
