Meta Contractor Sama to Lay Off Over 1,000 Workers in Kenya After Contract Termination
Sama, a former contractor for Meta, has announced plans to lay off 1,108 employees at its Nairobi office after receiving formal notice from Meta to end a major engagement. This decision follows a shift in Sama’s business model, moving away from content moderation services toward AI data labeling for the tech giant. The layoffs occur against the backdrop of an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2022 by former content moderators, who accused Sama and Meta of exploiting workers through low wages, excessive working hours, and inadequate mental health support while handling distressing content. The plaintiffs are seeking $1.6 billion in compensation, citing severe psychological trauma from viewing harmful material. While Sama defends its practices by claiming it pays four times the local minimum wage and provides unlimited mental health resources, the termination of the contract marks a significant reduction in its workforce. Meta maintains that its contractors must adhere to high labor standards. This development highlights the volatile nature of outsourced tech labor in Africa and the legal challenges facing major social media platforms regarding their supply chain responsibilities.
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Meta Contractor Sama to Lay Off Over 1,000 Workers in Kenya After Contract Termination
Sama, a former contractor for Meta, has announced plans to lay off 1,108 employees at its Nairobi office after receiving formal notice from Meta to end a major engagement. This decision follows a shift in Sama’s business model, moving away from content moderation services toward AI data labeling for the tech giant. The layoffs occur against the backdrop of an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2022 by former content moderators, who accused Sama and Meta of exploiting workers through low wages, excessive working hours, and inadequate mental health support while handling distressing content. The plaintiffs are seeking $1.6 billion in compensation, citing severe psychological trauma from viewing harmful material. While Sama defends its practices by claiming it pays four times the local minimum wage and provides unlimited mental health resources, the termination of the contract marks a significant reduction in its workforce. Meta maintains that its contractors must adhere to high labor standards. This development highlights the volatile nature of outsourced tech labor in Africa and the legal challenges facing major social media platforms regarding their supply chain responsibilities.
AP News