43 Facebook content moderators in Kenya have filed a lawsuit against Meta and two other companies — Majorel and Sama — for unfair termination.
The applicants claim that Sama, a Kenyan outsourcing company hired to moderate Facebook content, fired them because they formed a union.
They also say that Majorel — Sama’s replacement — barred them from applying for the same positions after Meta switched contractors.
Per the court petition, the moderators claim that Meta told Majorel not to hire any moderators who had previously worked for Sama.
The complainants filed a “constitutional petition” in Kenya’s Employment and Labour Relations Court against Meta, Sama, and Majorel, claiming that retaliating against employees who seek better working conditions is illegal discrimination.
The content moderators are requesting that the court halt the layoff procedure and guarantee the job security of current Sama employees.
They are also seeking full compensation for the distress caused and that Meta, Sama, and Majorel formally recognise the right of moderators to organise.
Recall in December 2022, Abrham Meareg sued Facebook’s parent company, Meta, for its alleged role in inciting violence and hatred in Eastern and Southern Africa in a Kenyan High Court.
Because it has no official presence in the East African nation, in February 2023, Meta appealed a decision in Kenya that said it could be held liable for a moderator’s claims of unfair working conditions.