Technology workers in Kenya mourned colleague Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, who died after being unable to return to Nigeria for two years. Her death raises concerns about the working conditions for content moderators, with reports of fatigue and desperation among employees. Teleperformance denies any wrongdoing, while many face poor pay and lack of support, leading to a vigil for Olubunmi and discussions of her family’s financial struggles regarding her burial.
In Nairobi, Kenya, technology workers recently held a vigil for their colleague, Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, who died under unclear circumstances after being unable to return to her home in Nigeria for two years. Employed as a content moderator by Teleperformance Kenya, her decomposed body was discovered in her residence three days following her death. Colleagues reported that she had expressed feelings of fatigue and desperation to return home.
Teleperformance Kenya did not respond to inquiries from The Associated Press regarding Olubunmi’s situation. However, the firm issued a statement suggesting that claims concerning her denied leave were “baseless and untrue.” Meanwhile, workers have reported dismal working conditions in their roles as content moderators, which include inadequate pay, insufficient mental health support, extended working hours, and intimidation.
The vigil highlighted ongoing issues facing content moderators in Kenya, with over 100 former Facebook moderators currently engaged in legal action against the company for supposedly poor compensation, adverse working conditions, and unjust termination practices. Attendees expressed concern that these conditions may have significantly impacted Olubunmi’s mental and physical health.
Kauna Malgwi, a friend of Olubunmi, pointed out that many Nigerian employees at Teleperformance had not received work permits for two years, preventing them from utilizing their annual return ticket benefits. Following the discovery of her body, Olubunmi’s family was notified through an email from Teleperformance, which provided contacts for Kenyan authorities to discuss autopsy and burial arrangements. Unfortunately, the family lacks the financial means to repatriate her remains, and they are contemplating requesting assistance from her church in Nairobi for burial arrangements.
The tragic death of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi raises significant concerns regarding the working conditions faced by content moderators in Kenya. The vigils held by her colleagues highlight the challenges of inadequate support and the emotional toll of working under distressing conditions. It is imperative for companies to prioritize mental health and the well-being of their employees, particularly in high-stress environments like content moderation. This incident calls for urgent addressing of labor rights and protection for workers in the technology sector.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
