Investigation into the Death of Nigerian Content Moderator Raises Alarm on Workplace Conditions
Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian TikTok content moderator, was found dead in her home near Nairobi, raising serious concerns about her working conditions at Teleperformance. Reports indicate her frustration over denied leave requests, and her family has not seen her since her relocation to Kenya in 2022. The cause of death is currently unknown, prompting inquiries into employee treatment in the industry.
The tragic demise of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian TikTok content moderator in Kenya, has prompted critical inquiries regarding her circumstances. Olubunmi’s body was discovered in her residence near Nairobi on March 7, after she had been absent from her job at Teleperformance for three consecutive days. Reports indicate that she had expressed frustration at being unable to secure time off to visit her family in Nigeria.
Furthermore, reports suggest that since relocating to Kenya for her job in 2022, Olubunmi had not had the opportunity to travel back to Nigeria, raising concerns about the workplace environment at Teleperformance, the company responsible for moderating TikTok content. According to CNN journalist Larry Madowo, “A Nigerian TikTok content moderator was found dead in Kenya. Coworkers claim she had been denied leave several times, but her employer – Teleperformance – denies it.”
Additionally, Madowo highlighted that Olubunmi’s family had not seen her since her move to Nairobi, expressing their urgent need for answers regarding her untimely passing. As of this report’s publication, the cause of death remains undisclosed.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issues faced by social media content moderation firms, particularly those engaged with TikTok. In 2023, employees moderating TikTok content in Kenya threatened legal action against ByteDance, the company’s parent organization, over allegations of employee mistreatment, including inadequate support following exposure to disturbing graphic material.
The death of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi has illuminated critical challenges in the content moderation sector, emphasizing accusations of inadequate workplace conditions and insufficient employee support. As investigations continue and the cause of death remains unconfirmed, the incident underscores the necessity for increased scrutiny of working environments within the industry. The case also reaffirms the ongoing discourse about mental health support for content moderators engaged in managing sensitive content. The lack of foundational support and proper leave policies at Teleperformance reflects broader industry challenges that demand urgent attention.
Original Source: nairobileo.co.ke
