In Nairobi, workers held a vigil for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok, who died mysteriously after two years of being unable to return home. The company Teleperformance denied claims about denying her leave, while many moderating employees highlighted poor working conditions. Olubunmi’s family is faced with financial challenges regarding her burial.
In Nairobi, Kenya, technology workers gathered to honor Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok, whose tragic death remains shrouded in mystery. Her decomposing body was discovered in her residence three days after her passing. Colleagues reported her complaints about fatigue and a strong desire to return home to Nigeria after being unable to do so for two years.
Teleperformance Kenya, the subcontractor employing Olubunmi, did not respond to inquiries from the Associated Press. In a statement, the company labeled allegations that she was denied leave as “baseless and untrue.” Content moderators in Kenya have previously reported challenging working conditions, including low wages, insufficient mental health support, extended hours, and intimidation.
Over 100 former Facebook content moderators are suing the company, citing inadequate pay and oppressive workplace environments facilitated by their subcontractor, Samasource. During the vigil for Olubunmi, many moderators expressed concerns that such poor working conditions could have led to her untimely death.
Kauna Malgwi, a friend of Olubunmi, highlighted that numerous Nigerian employees at Teleperformance have not received work permits for two years, hindering their ability to utilize annual return tickets.
After being discovered by a neighbor, Olubunmi’s family was notified of her death a day later through an email from Teleperformance. The family faces financial difficulties in repatriating her body and may seek assistance from her church in Nairobi for burial arrangements.
The tragic death of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi raises significant concerns regarding the treatment of content moderators in Kenya. Despite claims from Teleperformance Kenya denying allegations of denied leave, the broader issues of inadequate working conditions, low pay, and mental health support within the industry persist. As the community mourns, the urgency to address these systemic issues remains paramount for the well-being of workers in the tech sector.
Original Source: www.2news.com
