Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator in Kenya, died under unclear circumstances after two years without returning to Nigeria. Colleagues highlighted poor working conditions and her desperate wish to go home as contributing factors. Teleperformance denied claims of leave denial. Her family faces challenges in arranging a burial, considering assistance from her church in Nairobi.
In Kenya, technology workers held a vigil for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a content moderator for TikTok, who tragically passed away after being unable to return to Nigeria for two years. Her decomposing body was discovered at her residence days after her death, with colleagues expressing concern over her prior complaints of fatigue and a strong desire to return home.
The circumstances surrounding Olubunmi’s death remain unclear, and while Teleperformance Kenya has refuted claims regarding her leave denials, they did not respond to further inquiries from The Associated Press. Colleagues allege that she had faced intolerable working conditions, including long hours, inadequate mental health support, and low wages, common among content moderators in subcontracted firms in Kenya.
Issues in the sector are not isolated, as over 100 former Facebook content moderators have sued the company due to poor working environments and unjust terminations. Attendees at the vigil voiced their concerns that Olubunmi’s hardships may have been exacerbated by these adverse conditions.
A friend of Olubunmi shared that many of her Nigerian colleagues at Teleperformance had not received work permits for two years, preventing their return home despite having annual return ticket benefits. After her passing, the family was informed, with the company reaching out to Olubunmi’s brother to facilitate communication with local authorities for autopsy and burial.
Due to financial constraints, Olubunmi’s family is now contemplating a burial in Nairobi, potentially facilitated by her church, a tragic outcome for someone who had longed to be at home.
The vigil for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi underscores the pressing issues faced by content moderators in Kenya, including poor working conditions and the emotional toll of prolonged separation from home. The denial of leave and inadequate support highlight systemic flaws in the treatment of workers in the technology sector, raising questions about labor rights and corporate responsibility. Through this tragedy, the voices of Olubunmi’s colleagues and those in similar situations call for urgent reforms.
Original Source: www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
