Meta faces legal action in Ghana as content moderators file lawsuits over mental health issues linked to their work. These moderators, employed by Majorel, a company contracted by Meta, report suffering from depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems after reviewing disturbing content on Facebook and Instagram.
The lawsuits follow similar cases in Kenya, where content moderators claimed exposure to violent and abusive images caused severe trauma. In Ghana, about 150 moderators work at a facility in Accra, where they must review disturbing content for Meta’s platforms.
One moderator, who cannot be named, said he attempted suicide due to the emotional toll of his job. He claimed his contract ended after the incident, and he was sent back to his home country. Many others have reported similar mental health struggles caused by their work.
Content moderators review graphic images and videos to decide if they should be removed from Facebook and Instagram. Some moderators claim they have seen videos of people being skinned alive and women being beheaded.
The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism uncovered the harsh working conditions at the Majorel facility. Teleperformance, which owns Majorel, said licensed professionals provide mental health support. However, the moderators argue the support was insufficient and lacked proper medical attention.
A UK-based nonprofit, Foxglove, is preparing to bring legal action. Foxglove is considering two lawsuits: one over psychological harm, potentially involving several moderators, and another over the unfair dismissal of a moderator who attempted suicide.
Martha Dark, Foxglove’s co-executive director, criticized Meta for neglecting its moderators’ mental health. She said, “Meta shows a complete disregard for the humanity of its safety workers. They treat them as disposable and burn them out.”
In Ghana, content moderators earn a base salary of around 1,300 Ghanaian cedis (approximately £64). This is supplemented with performance bonuses, but workers say it is still far below the cost of living in Accra. Many also report poor living conditions, including cramped housing, and pressure to work overtime for low pay.
Teleperformance defended its practices, stating that moderators receive competitive pay, housing, and security. The company also emphasized the support provided by licensed psychologists.
This legal case is the second of its kind in Africa. In 2023, content moderators in Kenya sued for similar reasons. Foxglove is committed to investigating these cases and taking action to improve working conditions for African content moderators.
Meta stated that it requires its partners, including Majorel, to meet industry standards for employee well-being. The company also clarified that moderators can discuss their work with doctors, counselors, and family members for support.
