Teleperformance Kenya has denied claims that Nigerian content moderator Ladi Olubunmi was barred from traveling home before her death. Reports indicate her body was found days later, and colleagues expressed concerns over work conditions. Despite entitlement to a return ticket, many Nigerian employees lack valid work permits, complicating their ability to travel. The incident raises broader labor rights issues for workers in Kenya.
Teleperformance Kenya, a subcontractor for TikTok, has refuted allegations that it prevented Nigerian content moderator Ladi Olubunmi from traveling home prior to her tragic death. Reports reveal that Olubunmi’s body was discovered in her apartment three days following her passing, with earlier claims suggesting her managers denied her leave requests due to work permit issues despite her entitlement to an annual return ticket to Nigeria.
Colleagues of Olubunmi have expressed concern regarding her work environment, stating that she felt fatigued and was eager to return to Nigeria. However, Teleperformance Kenya has described these claims as “baseless and untrue,” asserting that the company did not deny her leave. Olubunmi had relocated to Kenya in 2022 to work as a content moderator under the auspices of Teleperformance, a firm contracted by TikTok.
In the aftermath of her death, technology workers in Kenya held a vigil to honor Olubunmi, during which they voiced concerns over poor working conditions that they believe may have contributed to her untimely demise. A friend of the deceased highlighted that over 100 Nigerians employed by Teleperformance lack valid work permits, consequently hindering their ability to return home despite possessing annual ticket benefits.
Additionally, inquiries made to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission regarding their response to this incident were met with silence, as their spokesperson did not answer calls nor address questions. This incident continues a troubling pattern, as the death of Olubunmi marks yet another case of a Nigerian dying under mysterious circumstances in Kenya, joining the unfortunate occurrences of July 2021.
In summary, Teleperformance Kenya has denied allegations of preventing Ladi Olubunmi from traveling home prior to her death, which has highlighted significant concerns regarding working conditions for Nigerian employees in the country. The circumstances surrounding her passing have spurred discussions about the lack of valid work permits for many Nigerians, raising critical issues about labor rights and oversight in international work environments. The ongoing challenges faced by these workers accentuate the urgent need for improved compliance and worker support systems.
Original Source: punchng.com
