Content Moderators Union in Africa Advocates for Workers’ Rights and Big Tech Accountability
The first union for content moderators in Africa has been established in Nairobi, with the goal of improving working conditions and holding Big Tech accountable. Led by former Facebook moderator Daniel Motaung, the union aims to combat worker exploitation by tech firms, particularly in terms of mental health support and fair wages.
Hundreds of content moderators across Africa, responsible for monitoring platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and ChatGPT for graphic content, have joined the continent’s inaugural content moderator union. However, many fear reprisal and potential job loss if their membership is revealed.
Formed in May with assistance from Daniel Motaung, who was motivated by personal experiences of the mental toll involved in this demanding work and the challenges of holding Big Tech accountable, the union seeks to secure the rights of content moderators in Africa employed through third-party outsourcing companies.
Motaung, who filed a lawsuit last year against Facebook’s parent company Meta and local outsourcing firm Sama, alleging irregular pay, hindering union activities, and inadequate mental health support resulting in trauma, continues his battle against detrimental working practices in this billion-dollar industry that employs thousands on low wages to safeguard social media users from harmful content.
The union’s establishment is a significant milestone in Motaung’s journey to eradicate exploitative working conditions. Since May, membership has steadily grown despite challenges such as concerns over job security and the extensive registration process in Kenya.
In addition to Motaung’s lawsuit, Meta and US-based Sama are facing another lawsuit filed by over 180 former moderators who claim they were terminated for voicing concerns about poor working conditions and attempts to form a union.
Globally, thousands of moderators are responsible for reviewing graphic social media posts that may include violence, nudity, racism, or other offensive content, often working as contractors for third-party companies. Content moderators in countries like Kenya increasingly raise issues of inadequate mental health support, low pay, and short-term contracts.
Daniel Motaung is regarded as one of the pioneers in demanding accountability from some of the world’s wealthiest companies.
Emphasizing the importance of collective bargaining power, digital rights experts suggest that unions play a vital role in safeguarding the rights of African workers in the rapidly expanding tech sector. Unions offer tech workers a collective voice to address specific concerns, including exposure to distressing content and job losses due to artificial intelligence, which may not be covered by existing labor laws.
The advocacy for collective rights complements legal efforts to encourage tech giants like Meta to prioritize the welfare of their global workforce. In 2021, Facebook reached an $85 million settlement with over 10,000 moderators who claimed the company failed to protect them from psychological distress caused by exposure to graphic and violent imagery.
Motaung’s lawsuit represents the first of its kind in Africa. Seeking financial compensation, equitable healthcare and pay for outsourced moderators compared to Meta employees, and the right to unionize, its outcome could amplify scrutiny and prompt further legal action in Africa and beyond, particularly regarding labor rights, workplace conditions, and liability for content moderation decisions.
Meta acknowledges its responsibility to content reviewers and requires partners to provide industry-leading pay, benefits, and support. Sama, though unable to comment on the lawsuit, is engaged in mediation efforts.
While Motaung acknowledges that the legal battle is arduous, a favorable verdict could establish a significant legal precedent, encouraging platform workers worldwide to file similar lawsuits. This would bring increased scrutiny, legal challenges, and potentially improved labor rights, workplace conditions, and accountability in content moderation decisions.
The establishment of Africa’s first content moderators union marks a pivotal moment for workers in the industry, as they strive for improved conditions and hold Big Tech accountable. Through unified efforts and legal pursuits, these content moderators hope to pave the way for equitable treatment and workplace reforms in a sector that has seen exponential growth in recent years.
