A Vigil for Ladi: The Tragic Death of a Content Moderator in Kenya
In Nairobi, Kenya, technology workers gathered on Tuesday to pay their respects to a colleague whose life ended under unclear and tragic circumstances. Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a content moderator for TikTok employed by Teleperformance Kenya, died last week. Her decomposing body was discovered in her house three days after her death, shocking her colleagues and raising questions about the working conditions faced by content moderators in the country. Olubunmi’s death has sparked a conversation about the struggles faced by workers in the tech industry, particularly those employed by subcontractors.
The vigil was not just a moment of mourning but also a call to action. Colleagues and friends described Olubunmi as a dedicated worker who had been desperate to return to her home in Nigeria for over two years. However, she was unable to do so due to unclear circumstances, which left her feeling fatigued and mentally drained. While the exact cause of her death remains unknown, her colleagues pointed to the challenging working conditions and lack of support as potential contributing factors. Teleperformance Kenya, the company she worked for, has denied claims that she was denied leave, calling them “baseless and untrue.” However, the death of Olubunmi has brought attention to the broader issues faced by content moderators in Kenya.
The Plight of Content Moderators in Kenya
Content moderation is a critical yet often underappreciated job in the tech industry. Moderators are tasked with reviewing and removing harmful or inappropriate content from social media platforms, a job that can take a significant toll on their mental health. In Kenya, many content moderators work for subcontractors hired by global tech companies. These workers often face challenging conditions, including long hours, low pay, and a lack of mental health support. For example, more than 100 former Facebook content moderators have sued the company over poor working conditions, unfair termination, and inadequate compensation. The lawsuit, filed against Facebook’s subcontractor Samasource, highlights the systemic issues faced by these workers.
During the vigil, dozens of content moderators and data labelers shared their experiences, describing how poor working conditions may have contributed to Olubunmi’s death. Many expressed frustration over the lack of support from their employers, citing long working hours, low wages, and a lack of mental health resources. These workers also raised concerns about the lack of job security and the fear of intimidation or retaliation for speaking out. The death of Olubunmi has become a symbol of the broader struggles faced by content moderators in Kenya, many of whom feel exploited and undervalued by their employers.
The Case of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi
Olubunmi’s death has shed light on the challenges faced by migrant workers in Kenya’s tech industry. According to her friend, Kauna Malgwi, Olubunmi was one of more than 100 Nigerians working for Teleperformance Kenya without proper work permits. This lack of documentation prevented her and her colleagues from traveling home, despite having an annual return ticket benefit. Olubunmi’s desperation to return home was evident to her colleagues, who described her as struggling with fatigue and mental health issues.
The circumstances surrounding Olubunmi’s death are still unclear, but her colleagues believe that the stress and isolation she experienced may have played a role. Malgwi noted that Olubunmi’s family was only informed of her death a day after her body was discovered by a neighbor. Teleperformance Kenya sent an email to Olubunmi’s brother, providing him with contact information for Kenyan investigating officers and offering assistance with autopsy and burial arrangements. However, the family is struggling to afford the costs of bringing her body back to Nigeria, and they are considering asking her church in Nairobi to handle the burial. This heartbreaking situation underscores the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in Kenya’s tech industry and the lack of support they receive from their employers.
The Bigger Picture: Exploitation in the Tech Industry
Olubunmi’s death is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a larger problem within the tech industry. The outsourcing of content moderation to countries like Kenya has created a system where workers are often exploited for cheap labor. Many content moderators in Kenya work for subcontractors who are hired by global tech companies. These workers are often paid low wages, denied benefits, and subjected to poor working conditions. The lack of transparency and accountability in these subcontracting arrangements makes it difficult for workers to advocate for their rights, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
The situation is further complicated by the lack of proper work permits for many migrant workers. In Olubunmi’s case, the absence of a valid work permit prevented her from traveling home for two years, leaving her isolated and disconnected from her family. This isolation can take a significant toll on mental health, as workers feel trapped and unsupported. The death of Olubunmi has brought attention to these issues, prompting calls for greater accountability and better working conditions for content moderators in Kenya.
Conclusion: The Need for Change
The death of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi is a tragic reminder of the human cost of exploitation in the tech industry. Her story highlights the challenges faced by content moderators in Kenya, who often work under difficult conditions without adequate support or compensation. The vigil held in her honor was not just a moment of mourning but also a call to action, urging tech companies to take responsibility for the well-being of their workers. As the tech industry continues to grow, it is crucial that companies prioritize the rights and well-being of their employees, ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect. Only then can we hope to prevent tragedies like Olubunmi’s from happening again.
