Teleperformance Kenya has denied claims of preventing Ladi Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator, from traveling home before her death. Colleagues reported her fatigue and desire to return, suggesting work permit issues may have played a role. A vigil was held in her honor, raising awareness of poor working conditions among technology workers in Kenya.
Teleperformance Kenya, a subcontractor for TikTok, has refuted allegations that it prevented Nigerian content moderator Ladi Olubunmi from returning to Nigeria prior to her untimely death. The assertion emerged following reports indicating that her body was discovered three days after her death in her apartment last week, as reported by ABC News.
The company clarified to The Associated Press that it had not denied Olubunmi’s leave request, despite media reports asserting that she had expressed feelings of fatigue and a strong desire to return home. Allegations from her colleagues claimed that she was denied leave based on issues surrounding her work permit, yet Teleperformance Kenya labeled these claims as “baseless and untrue.”
Olubunmi relocated to Kenya in 2022 to take up her role as a content moderator for TikTok through Teleperformance, a firm associated with the platform. Following her death, colleagues organized a vigil to honor her, during which they voiced concerns about the working conditions they believe contributed to her death.
Kauna Malgwi, a friend of the deceased, emphasized that over 100 other Nigerian colleagues employed at Teleperformance have been lacking valid work permits for the past two years, inhibiting their ability to travel home, despite having annual return ticket benefits. Reports indicated that the spokesperson for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdulrahman Balogun, did not respond to inquiries regarding the incident when contacted. This situation highlights ongoing issues, as it is not the first instance of a Nigerian’s mysterious death in Kenya, recalling a similar incident in July 2021 involving two Nigerians at a party.
In summary, Teleperformance Kenya has denied claims that it restricted Ladi Olubunmi’s travel, asserting it fulfilled its obligations regarding her leave request. Concerns have been raised by her colleagues about poor working conditions affecting several Nigerian employees, with implications about work permits hindering their ability to travel. This incident reflects ongoing challenges faced by expatriate workers and marks a troubling trend regarding the circumstances surrounding Nigerians in Kenya.
Original Source: punchng.com
