Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian TikTok moderator in Kenya, was found dead after missing work for three days. Her tragic passing has incited outrage among gig workers, prompting calls for investigations into workplace conditions and labor rights violations. Allegations include denial of leave and toxic work culture, with the case drawing parallels to issues faced by Facebook moderators in Kenya.
A Nigerian woman named Ladi Anzaki Olubumni was found deceased in her Nairobi apartment on March 7, having missed work for three consecutive days. Her death has sparked significant outrage among gig workers within Kenya. According to CNN journalist Larry Madowo, Olubumni relocated to Kenya to assume the position of a content moderator for TikTok in 2022, remaining away from her family since her move.
Olubumni was engaged through one of the foremost outsourcing firms, which hires workers across Africa to operate in Nairobi. Although she was entitled to an annual return ticket to Nigeria, reports indicated that her requests for leave were consistently denied, allegedly due to her work permit situation and an unhealthy workplace environment. Many colleagues lacked proper work permits, which restrained their ability to travel home without facing potential harassment or extortion at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The outsourcing company refuted these claims, asserting they had maintained contact with her family and local authorities regarding the death. They further contested allegations suggesting they had instructed employees not to discuss the incident, yet Madowo disclosed his difficulty in finding anyone willing to comment on the matter.
The Kenya Union of Gig Workers (KUGWO) expressed profound disappointment over her death, emphasizing their demands for government investigation into her circumstances. “The Kenya Union of Gig Workers (KUGWO) is deeply outraged and saddened by the tragic and disturbing death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni…found deceased in her apartment after her absence from work went unchecked for three days,” the statement articulated.
KUGWO urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to clarify the events leading to her demise and called for the Ministry of Labour to address violations of labor laws, including unfair wage deductions and mistreatment of workers. They also advocated for the right of workers to join trade unions for effective representation, in line with Article 41 of Kenya’s Constitution.
As this article is being published, the specific details surrounding Olubumni’s death remain unclear. This incident has emerged alongside a related scandal involving Facebook content moderators in Kenya, who have filed lawsuits against their outsourcing company due to claims of workplace toxicity and inadequate compensation, which have resulted in significant mental health issues for many employees.
Ladi Anzaki Olubumni’s tragic death in Nairobi highlights alarming issues regarding the treatment of gig workers, particularly concerning their rights and working conditions. The outcry from the Kenya Union of Gig Workers emphasizes the demand for investigations into labor law violations and the need for proper representation for workers. As the investigation unfolds, it sheds light on systemic problems within the gig economy that require urgent attention.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
