A Nigerian woman working as a content moderator for TikTok has been found dead in her apartment in Lower Kabete, Kenya, raising serious concerns about working conditions at the company where she was employed.
The deceased, identified as Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, was a staff member at Teleperformance, a firm contracted by TikTok to handle content moderation. Reports indicate that she had been struggling with issues related to her job and was allegedly denied her rights by the company.
Discovery of Her Death
Olubunmi was found lifeless in her apartment last Friday. According to reports by The Kenyan Daily Post, she had not reported to work since Wednesday, but her absence did not prompt immediate action from her employer. It was only after a colleague decided to visit her apartment that her death was discovered. The circumstances surrounding her passing remain unclear, but suspicions have been raised over the treatment she allegedly received at her workplace.
Colleagues Accuse the Company
Following her death, some of her colleagues have pointed fingers at Teleperformance, alleging that the company’s poor treatment of employees contributed to her demise. One colleague, who spoke to the media on condition of anonymity, claimed that Olubunmi had been subjected to unfair treatment, including the denial of leave and a work permit, which prevented her from traveling home to Nigeria.
“She had been working as a TikTok content moderator since 2022. As per her contract, she was entitled to a return ticket home every year. However, she only managed to travel back once, and that was after pleading and crying to the management,” the colleague stated.
The source further revealed that despite multiple requests, Olubunmi was denied permission to visit Nigeria, leaving her feeling stranded in Kenya.
“She went to the managers in tears, begging for leave, but instead of helping her, they recorded a video of her crying and laughed at her,” the colleague added.
Denied Work Permit and Leave
Reports suggest that Olubunmi, like many other Nigerian employees at Teleperformance, did not have a valid work permit. The lack of proper documentation made it difficult for her to travel or even seek better working conditions elsewhere. This, according to her colleagues, left her trapped in an unbearable situation.
“We believe Teleperformance should be held responsible because they refused to give her leave and did not secure a work permit for her. She made several attempts to go home, but they kept turning her down,” another colleague disclosed.
Concerns about the working conditions at Teleperformance are not new. The company, which has operations in various countries, has previously faced criticism over its treatment of employees, particularly content moderators who are required to review distressing and harmful online content.
Family and Media Reactions
Olubunmi’s family has expressed deep sadness over the loss of their daughter. CNN journalist Larry Madowo reported that her family confirmed she had not returned to Nigeria since she started working at Teleperformance in 2022. The news of her death has added to the growing concerns about the experiences of African workers in foreign companies, particularly those handling stressful tasks such as content moderation.
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