Former Twitter Staff in Ghana Finally Paid After Year-Long Battle
In a long-awaited resolution, former staff members of X, formerly known as Twitter, have finally received their long-overdue payments after being laid off over a year ago. The agency representing the staff confirmed that the social media platform has fulfilled its promise to pay the redundancy money owed to the employees. This comes after the staff threatened legal action against X for failing to honor their payment commitments. While X has not commented on the matter, it had previously stated that it had paid ex-employees in full.
The employees, who were based in Accra, the capital of Ghana, had only been working for X for a few months when they were abruptly fired in November 2022. The company’s decision to terminate their contracts came as a shock to the staff, who had recently relocated to X’s new office in Accra after several months of remote work due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The African contingent, numbering fewer than 20 individuals, found themselves in a difficult situation, as they were left stranded in Ghana along with their families.
Agency Seven Seven, the legal representation firm for the staff, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that it had successfully secured a redundancy settlement and repatriation expenses for foreign staff. However, the exact amount of the pay-out was not disclosed. Carla Olympio from Agency Seven Seven conveyed the staff’s relief and optimism for the future, stating, “They are very pleased to finally be able to get their due, put this behind them and look to the future.”
Last year, some of the sacked employees spoke out about the detrimental impact X’s treatment had on their mental health and finances. They revealed that they were initially informed that they would receive one more month’s salary despite their contracts being terminated. However, they were immediately locked out of their emails, and no further salary payments were made. This left them in a frustrating battle for compensation, particularly for those who had relocated from neighboring countries like Nigeria.
Elon Musk, who took over X in 2022, initiated a massive global staff reduction, resulting in the dismissal of over 6,000 employees. Musk cited significant financial losses, claiming to be losing more than $4 million (£3.5 million) per day. In an interview last April, Musk acknowledged that the company had reduced its workforce to 1,500 employees from the previous count of just under 8,000 at the time of his acquisition.
When news of Musk’s drastic staff cull became public, he tweeted that laid-off employees were given three months’ severance pay. However, the Africa-based staff claim that they did not receive this compensation. It was only after the BBC covered their story that X began negotiations with the sacked African staff, according to Agency Seven Seven. Last year, X faced a lawsuit filed by ex-employees in a California court, alleging the company’s refusal to pay at least $500 million in promised severance packages.
The resolution of this long-standing dispute brings some closure to the former Twitter staff in Ghana. While they endured a challenging battle for their rightful compensation, they can now focus on rebuilding their lives and moving forward. The case also sheds light on the broader issues surrounding employee treatment and severance practices within the tech industry. As X moves forward under Elon Musk’s leadership, it remains to be seen how the company will address these concerns and ensure fair treatment for its employees worldwide.
Business in Africa, particularly within the tech sector, continues to evolve and face its own unique challenges. The situation faced by the former Twitter staff in Ghana highlights the importance of fair employment practices and the need for companies to fulfill their commitments to their employees. As Africa’s tech industry continues to grow and attract global attention, it is crucial for companies to prioritize the well-being and rights of their workforce. Ghana’s capital, Accra, has become a hub for tech innovation, and incidents like this serve as a reminder of the importance of fostering a supportive and equitable work environment.
In conclusion, the resolution of the year-long battle between former Twitter staff in Ghana and X brings relief and closure to the affected individuals. The payment of their redundancy money signifies a step towards rectifying the injustices they faced. This case also serves as a reminder for companies to prioritize their employees’ well-being and adhere to fair employment practices. As Africa’s tech industry continues to thrive, it is essential for companies to uphold their commitments and ensure a positive working environment for their staff.
