Teleperformance Kenya denied blocking Ladi Olubunmi’s travel home before her death, stating her leave request was accepted. Colleagues claimed she was fatigued and seeking to return to Nigeria, raising concerns about poor working conditions. Over 100 Nigerian workers face issues with valid work permits, impacting their ability to travel, while the case adds to prior instances of unexplained deaths among Nigerians in Kenya.
Teleperformance Kenya, a subcontractor for TikTok, refuted allegations that it prevented Ladi Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator, from traveling home prior to her death. Reports revealed that Olubunmi’s body was discovered in her apartment following her demise three days earlier. The company clarified to the Associated Press that it did not reject her leave request, disputing claims of denial due to work permit concerns.
Colleagues had reported that Olubunmi expressed feelings of fatigue, wishing to return to Nigeria before her passing. Despite entitlement to an annual return ticket, her peers alleged that management barred her from leave. Teleperformance Kenya labeled these accusations as “baseless and untrue,” maintaining their position on the matter.
Olubunmi had relocated to Kenya in 2022 to serve as a content moderator for TikTok through Teleperformance. Following her death, technology workers held a vigil, expressing sorrow and concern over poor working conditions which they believed may have impacted her health. These challenges and unjust employment practices have prompted dialogue among content moderators and data labellers employed by global tech companies.
A friend of Olubunmi, Kauna Malgwi, asserted that over 100 Nigerian employees under Teleperformance have been without valid work permits for the past two years, inhibiting their ability to travel home, despite possessing annual return ticket benefits. Widespread concern remains in the community regarding this issue.
Attempts to gain insights from Abdulrahman Balogun, spokesperson for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, proved fruitless as inquiries went unanswered. The unsettling case marks another instance of tragic circumstances surrounding the Nigerian community in Kenya, recalling past incidents where Nigerians faced similar fates under questionable conditions.
In summary, Teleperformance Kenya has denied accusations of obstructing Ladi Olubunmi’s travel plans prior to her death, claiming her leave request was not denied. The death has sparked significant concern over the working conditions of Nigerian employees, particularly regarding valid work permits. The ongoing investigations highlight the need for improved oversight of employment practices and worker rights in Kenya.
Original Source: punchng.com
