Teleperformance Kenya Denies Blocking Travel for Deceased Nigerian…

Teleperformance Kenya has denied accusations of blocking Nigerian content moderator Ladi Olubunmi from traveling home before her death. Her body was found three days after she reportedly passed away. Colleagues claimed she expressed fatigue and sought leave, which was allegedly denied over work permit issues. This situation has led to concerns about the working conditions for Nigerians in Kenya, prompting a vigil in her memory.

Teleperformance Kenya, a subcontractor for TikTok, has refuted allegations that it prevented Nigerian content moderator Ladi Olubunmi from returning to Nigeria prior to her death. Revelation by ABC News outlined that her body was found decomposing in her apartment, three days after her passing. The company asserts it did not reject Olubunmi’s leave request, underlining that any claims to the contrary are unfounded.

Further reports have emerged suggesting that Olubunmi’s colleagues stated she exhibited signs of exhaustion and was eager to travel home. Despite being entitled to an annual return ticket, colleagues have purported that she was denied leave due to purported issues regarding her work permit. In response to these assertions, Teleperformance Kenya described them as “baseless and untrue.”

Olubunmi, who began her work with Teleperformance as a content moderator for TikTok in 2022, has spurred a response from her peers, prompting technology workers in Kenya to hold a vigil in her memory. During this gathering, the participants expressed their grievances regarding inadequate working conditions, suggesting these factors may have contributed to her unfortunate demise.

A friend of the deceased, Kauna Malgwi, indicated that over 100 Nigerians employed under Teleperformance Kenya lack valid work permits, rendering them unable to travel home, despite having an annual return ticket benefit. This raises significant concerns regarding the employment status of international workers within the company.

Inquiries directed to Abdulrahman Balogun, spokesperson for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, went unanswered concerning potential actions the commission might be undertaking about this occurrence. This tragic incident is not unprecedented; a similar situation transpired in July 2021, where two Nigerians died under mysterious circumstances at a house party in Kenya.

In conclusion, Teleperformance Kenya has denied any wrongdoing concerning the late Ladi Olubunmi, asserting that it did not deny her leave. Colleagues have raised grave concerns regarding the employment conditions faced by fellow Nigerian workers, highlighting the precarious situations many find themselves in regarding work permits. This incident, alongside previous unexplained deaths of Nigerians in Kenya, underscores the urgent need for better protections and monitoring of expatriate workers in similar organizations.

Original Source: punchng.com