Vigil Held for Nigerian Content Moderator in Kenya Highlights Industry Challenges

Technology workers in Nairobi mourn the death of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator who had reportedly been desperate to return home to Nigeria. Her body was found after three unresponsive days, prompting concerns regarding working conditions within the industry. Teleperformance denies claims about denying leave, as calls for better treatment of moderators intensify.
In Nairobi, a vigil was held by technology workers to honor Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a fellow colleague, who passed away under unclear circumstances. Employed as a content moderator for TikTok by Teleperformance Kenya, Olubunmi had not been able to return to her native Nigeria for two years. Her body was discovered in her home after she remained unresponsive for three days.
Colleagues reported that Olubunmi had expressed feelings of fatigue and a longing to return home. Following her death, Teleperformance Kenya did not provide comment to the Associated Press and referred to claims suggesting she was denied leave as “baseless and untrue.” Reports indicate that content moderators often encounter challenging working conditions, including inadequate pay and a lack of mental health support.
Several former Facebook content moderators have pursued legal action against the social media giant, citing poor working conditions and unjust termination stemming from its subcontractor, Samasource, based in Kenya. During the vigil, many industry peers reflected on the potential link between Olubunmi’s working conditions and her untimely death.
According to Kauna Malgwi, a friend of Olubunmi, many Nigerian employees at Teleperformance have been without work permits for two years, severely limiting their ability to travel despite having provisions for annual return tickets. After her passing, Olubunmi’s family received notification from Teleperformance and were provided with information regarding the investigative process.
Malawi stated that the family is financially constrained and is contemplating reaching out to Olubunmi’s church in Nairobi for assistance with burial arrangements.
The tragic case of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi highlights the severe working conditions faced by content moderators in Kenya, sparking concerns about mental health and employee treatment. With reports of inadequate support and financial constraints affecting the deceased’s family, this incident points to broader systemic issues within the industry. It raises pressing questions about the welfare of international workers and their rights to adequate leave and support.
Original Source: www.2news.com