Kenyan tech workers call out US Big Tech for ‘modern-day slavery’

In a major transfer, 97 African tech employees concerned in AI coaching and content material moderation for main US firms like Meta and OpenAI have addressed an open letter to President Biden. The letter, revealed on 22 Might, accuses these corporations of “systemic abuse and exploitation” of African employees and requires pressing intervention.

The letter, first reported by Wired, was additionally cc’d to US Commerce Consultant Ambassador Katherine Tai. It coincides with Kenyan President William Ruto’s go to to the US to mark the sixtieth anniversary of US-Kenyan diplomatic relations and focus on commerce, funding, and technological innovation.

The employees allege that the practices of corporations like Meta, OpenAI, and knowledge supplier ScaleAI “quantity to modern-day slavery.” They describe extreme exploitation, together with mentally and emotionally draining duties similar to monitoring distressing content material on social media and labeling knowledge for AI fashions, typically for lower than $2 per hour. Additionally they spotlight the dearth of sufficient psychological well being help, which leaves many employees with post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD).

The letter particulars cases of union busting within the digital sector. For instance, when Fb content material moderators in Kenya tried to unionize, the complete workforce was dismissed. Meta then shifted its moderation work to Ghana to keep away from accountability. An analogous incident occurred with Kenyan employees labeling knowledge for the US AI startup ScaleAI. In March 2024, ScaleAI’s outsourcing agency, Remotasks, abruptly exited the African market, leaving employees unemployed and owed important unpaid wages.

The letter additionally alleges that US tech corporations typically think about themselves above Kenyan legislation and ignore court docket orders. As an illustration, regardless of a court docket ruling ordering Meta to pay Fb moderators their salaries, the corporate has constantly ignored the order, leaving employees unpaid even a 12 months later.

The employees argue that their contributions are important for the usability of those platforms. With out their work, platforms like Fb would turn out to be unmanageable, doubtlessly inflicting corporations like Meta to lose billions. Regardless of this, they’re paid a fraction of what their US counterparts earn.

The letter particulars a number of key calls for:

• Engagement and transparency: The employees request to be concerned in any US-Kenya commerce negotiations and for draft texts to be revealed to permit significant engagement.
• Labor protections: They urge for strong provisions in commerce agreements to stop union busting, implement Worldwide Labor Organisation requirements, and guarantee penalties for non-compliance by US corporations.
• Accountability: They name for US Large Tech corporations to be held accountable in US courts for labor and human rights violations overseas.
• Respect for Kenyan Sovereignty: They emphasize the necessity for US-Kenya commerce agreements to respect Kenya’s Structure and sovereignty.

The letter additionally highlights Kenya’s position as a significant tech hub, generally known as the “Silicon Savannah,” and the essential contributions of Kenyan employees to the tech trade. It requires President Biden to honor his dedication to labor rights and “worker-centered commerce” and to make sure that the advantages of technological developments don’t come on the expense of employees’ well being and well-being.