A group of TikTok content moderators say they were fired by outsourcing firm Telus Digital after attempting to unionise. The workers, based in Turkey, were responsible for reviewing highly disturbing videos, which they claim took a severe toll on their mental health.
According to an investigation by The Independent and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), Telus Digital, a Canadian company working with TikTok and Meta, dismissed several moderators who tried to improve working conditions. Telus argues that all firings were due to misconduct, performance issues, or workforce reductions.
Human moderators play a crucial role in filtering extreme content that automated systems fail to detect. The moderators in Turkey, reviewing content in multiple languages, report seeing distressing videos, including terrorism, child abuse, and extreme violence. Many claim they suffer from depression, stress, and insomnia as a result of their work.
Paid between 19,000 and 35,000 Turkish lira (approximately €550-€900) per month, some earn below the Turkish minimum wage of 22,000 lira (€551). Despite these conditions, Telus workers who attempted to unionise faced legal challenges from the company. Affected employees have now filed legal claims, accusing Telus of retaliatory dismissals.
TikTok employs 40,000 safety workers globally, many through outsourcing firms like Telus. The company insists it promotes worker well-being. However, union representatives argue that employees are underpaid and lack adequate psychological support.
The case highlights ongoing struggles faced by content moderators worldwide, raising concerns over mental health protections, fair pay, and workers’ rights in the digital age.
