Kenyan Judge Finds Meta Not in Contempt of Court for Unpaid Content Moderators

NAIROBI, Kenya - December 7, 2023 - A Kenyan judge ruled today that Facebook parent company Meta was not in contempt of court for failing to pay dozens of content moderators laid off by a contractor. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the moderators against Meta and its contractor, Sama, accusing them of violating a court order that barred them from laying off the employees before their legal challenge was heard.

{inAds}

The lawsuit alleged that Meta and Sama conspired to circumvent the court order by terminating the moderators' employment through Sama, a move the moderators claimed was retaliatory for their attempts to unionize. The moderators also accused the companies of failing to pay them for six months following their dismissal.

Recall that Meta faces $600 Millions Lawsuit from 83 Spanish Medias and Newspapers Companies last week for violating EU data protection usage.

Despite the judge's ruling on the contempt of court issue, the moderators' legal battle against Meta and Sama continues. Their lawsuit seeking compensation for unpaid wages and challenging the legality of their dismissals remains pending. The judge noted that the decision on whether Meta and Sama violated labor laws would be addressed in the main case.

{inAds}

The case has garnered international attention, highlighting the plight of content moderators who work for tech giants like Meta in often difficult and under-regulated conditions. The moderators have spoken out about the mental health toll of their work, which includes exposure to graphic and disturbing content, and the lack of support from their employers.

Meta has previously denied any wrongdoing and claimed that it complied with all court orders. Sama has also defended its actions, stating that the layoffs were due to a "restructuring" of its business.

{inAds}

The judge's ruling may bring temporary relief to Meta, but it is unlikely to resolve the underlying issues raised by the lawsuit. The case continues to shed light on the precarious working conditions of content moderators and raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies to their employees, especially those working in outsourced operations in developing countries.

The outcome of the main case will be closely watched by labor rights advocates and workers around the world. It could set a precedent for future legal challenges against tech giants and their contractors, potentially forcing them to improve working conditions and protect the rights of their employees.