Meta is terminating its agreement with the Kenyan outsourcing firm Sama, citing Sama’s failure to live up to expectation.
The contract termination renders more than 1,100 workers jobs, as Meta stated that machine learning models and artificial intelligence would now be used for the work.
Meta recruited Sama in 2019 to help eliminate offensive, violent, hateful and abusive content on Facebook within the sub-Saharan Africa region.
Over the period of the contract, both Sama and Meta faced criticism from workers for alleged “unlawful” layoffs and poor working conditions.
Nearly 200 moderators who Sama fired in 2023, filed a lawsuit alleging unjust dismissal.
Additionally, they claimed that Kenyan workers endured cruel working circumstances, such as forced labour and inconsistent compensation.
Employees claim that their mental health has been harmed by constant exposure to violent imagery. They therefore requested reimbursement for wages they claim are insufficient in light of the hazards they faced.
Sama however, refuted claims of harsh working circumstances, stating that staff members receive professional counselling, a living wage and complete benefits.
Meanwhile, following the termination of the contract, Sama’s representative for Kenya, Annepeace Alwala said they were “actively working” to support employees following the news.
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