Teleperformance Kenya Denies Claims Regarding Nigerian Moderator’s Travel Restrictions Before Death

Teleperformance Kenya denied claims it prevented Nigerian content moderator Ladi Olubunmi from traveling home before her death. Olubunmi’s body was discovered days after her reported death. Despite being entitled to leave, allegations about work permit issues surfaced. Vigil held for her highlighted poor working conditions faced by tech workers. Previous deaths of Nigerians in Kenya raise concerns.

Teleperformance Kenya has refuted allegations that it hindered Nigerian content moderator, Ladi Olubunmi, from returning to Nigeria prior to her untimely demise. Reports from ABC News revealed that Olubunmi’s body was discovered in her apartment days after she was believed to have died. The company stated that there was no denial of her leave request, countering claims from her colleagues who reported her desire to travel home due to fatigue.

Despite being entitled to an annual return ticket, colleagues alleged Olubunmi was unable to secure leave, ostensibly due to issues surrounding her work permit. Teleperformance Kenya dismissed these claims as “baseless and untrue.” Having relocated to Kenya in 2022 to work for TikTok through Teleperformance, Olubunmi’s tragic death has prompted her peers to voice concerns about labor conditions at a vigil held in her memory.

During the vigil, fellow content moderators and data labelers highlighted poor working environments, which they believe could have contributed to her unfortunate passing. Kauna Malgwi, a friend of the deceased, indicated that over 100 Nigerian employees under Teleperformance lack valid work permits, which restricts their ability to return home. Malgwi remarked on the persistent issue, stating, “More than 100 Nigerians are working under Teleperformance who haven’t had work permits for the last two years.”

On Wednesday, inquiries made by PUNCH Metro to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission regarding actions being taken went unanswered, as spokesperson Abdulrahman Balogun had not responded. This incident is not isolated; in July 2021, two Nigerians died under mysterious circumstances in Kenya, with one falling from a height and another collapsing indoors.

In summary, Teleperformance Kenya has officially denied blocking Ladi Olubunmi’s leave request, despite claims from her colleagues about her struggles to return home and the conditions of her employment. This incident has raised broader concerns regarding the working conditions of Nigerian employees in Kenya, emphasizing the need for effective oversight and support for expatriates. Furthermore, the record of previous mysterious deaths involving Nigerians in the country underscores a pressing issue that requires attention.

Original Source: punchng.com