Former Twitter employees in Ghana, who were let go over a year ago, have finally received their promised compensation.
After being abruptly fired in 2022, they faced a tough battle for their rightful payouts. Although they were initially told they would receive a month’s pay after termination, they were locked out of their work systems with no further payments.
This left many stranded in Ghana, away from their home countries and families.
The situation escalated when they threatened legal action against the company, now known as X. Elon Musk, who took over Twitter in 2022, initiated massive layoffs globally due to financial losses.
However, the African staff, numbering fewer than 20, found themselves in a particularly precarious position.
They had just started working in X’s new office in Accra after months of remote work during the pandemic.
Agency Seven Seven, representing the staff, successfully negotiated a settlement, including redundancy pay and repatriation expenses.
This resolution came after the BBC covered their story, shedding light on their plight. The former employees expressed relief at finally receiving what they were owed, acknowledging the toll the ordeal took on their mental and financial well-being.
Interestingly, despite Mr. Musk’s public announcement of three months’ severance pay for laid-off employees, the African staff claim they never received it.
This discrepancy highlights the challenges faced by employees in different regions and the need for equitable treatment regardless of location.
X, formerly Twitter, has faced legal troubles before regarding severance packages, with ex-employees filing a lawsuit in California.
This indicates a pattern of alleged negligence in fulfilling financial obligations to terminated staff, raising questions about the company’s practices and ethics.
Overall, this case underscores the importance of fair treatment and transparency in employment practices, regardless of geographical location, and emphasizes the role of media in bringing attention to such issues.
(Based on BBC as the source)
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology