The death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a TikTok content moderator in Kenya, has raised alarm about labor practices in the outsourcing sector. The Kenya Union of Gig Workers has called for an investigation into her death, alleging mistreatment and denial of requests for leave. This case sheds light on ongoing concerns regarding the conditions faced by gig workers in Kenya.
The passing of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a content moderator for TikTok from Nigeria, has sparked significant anger among gig workers in Kenya, highlighting distressing labor practices in the outsourcing sector. Olubumni was discovered deceased in her Nairobi apartment on March 7 after an unaccounted three-day absence from work. The Kenya Union of Gig Workers (KUGWO) publicly called for thorough investigations into her death on March 10, alleging her requests for leave and a return ticket to Nigeria were repeatedly denied.
Reports indicate that the outsourcing company, which employs a substantial number of African workers, had promised Olubumni an annual return ticket to her homeland. Colleagues have claimed that many moderators, including Olubumni, were operating without valid work permits, which heightened their fears of extortion or harassment at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, if attempting to leave. The company has refuted these claims, asserting it maintained ongoing communication with Olubumni’s family and local authorities while denying any efforts to silence employees, even though CNN reporter Larry Madowo pointed out colleagues’ hesitance to provide comments publicly.
In light of this tragedy, KUGWO has urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to undertake a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Olubumni’s death. The union is also calling on the Ministry of Labour to examine the outsourcing firm’s labor practices, focusing on potential breaches of labor laws, unauthorized wage deductions, and overall worker mistreatment. Moreover, the union insists that the firm should allow its employees to join trade unions, as is their right under Article 41 of the Kenyan Constitution.
This incident has surfaced amid earlier allegations against the same outsourcing firm, wherein Facebook content moderators in Kenya previously filed lawsuits citing poor working conditions, inadequate compensation, and a detrimental work culture. Many of these moderators reported being misled about the nature of the content they would encounter, leading to diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As a result, the current situation underscores the critical need for enhanced labor rights and protections for gig workers nationwide.
The death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni has triggered widespread outrage and demands for better labor practices within Kenya’s outsourcing industry. The call for thorough investigations into the circumstances of her passing and heightened scrutiny of labor conditions reflects an urgent need for improved rights and protections for gig workers. As similar concerns resonate throughout the industry, this incident may serve as a catalyst for systemic changes that prioritize worker welfare and uphold legal protections.
Original Source: www.mwakilishi.com
