Kenyan tech staff name out US Massive Tech for ‘modern-day slavery’

In a big transfer, 97 African tech staff 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 Could, accuses these corporations of “systemic abuse and exploitation” of African staff 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 talk about 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. In addition they spotlight the dearth of sufficient psychological well being assist, which leaves many staff with post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD).

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

The letter additionally alleges that US tech corporations typically take into account themselves above Kenyan legislation and ignore courtroom orders. As an illustration, regardless of a courtroom ruling ordering Meta to pay Fb moderators their salaries, the corporate has constantly ignored the order, leaving staff unpaid even a yr later.

The employees argue that their contributions are important for the usability of those platforms. With out their work, platforms like Fb would grow to be unmanageable, probably 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 forestall union busting, implement Worldwide Labor Organisation requirements, and guarantee penalties for non-compliance by US corporations.
• Accountability: They name for US Massive 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, referred to as the “Silicon Savannah,” and the crucial contributions of Kenyan staff to the tech business. 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 staff’ well being and well-being.