In May 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic is fully underway, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Announced That the company will allow most of its employees to continue working from home, at least until the end of the year. “Include the spread of Covid-19 so we can keep our communities safe and go back and running again soon. “
But the same The luxury was obviously Not extended to Thousands-strong fleet Of Contract workers Facebook employs To control harmful content on the platform, and on Wednesday, it 200 workers Sent one Open letter Objecting to the way senior company officials treat them.
Zuckerberg and Facebook’s chief operating operator Sher Fisher Sheryl Sandberg, as well Accenter and Kovalen, CEOs of outsourcing companies, accused Facebook in the letter of compromising its health and safety. In order contractors and their loved ones “To maintain Facebook’s profits during the epidemic. “
““During the month that content moderators were allowed to work from home, Facebook faced intense pressure to keep hate and anti-information free. You pushed us back into the fee,” the letter said. “Moderators who keep doctors’ notes about individual COVID risk safe have been excused from appearing in person. Intermediaries with sensitive relatives, who may die, if they make a covid agreement from us, they do not have. “
As is, There is already Covid erupted in many Facebook’s Office Fees, With workers from Ireland, Germany, Poland and the United States testing positive for the virus.
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And according to the letter-writers the risk of infection comes at the peak of already mentally punishing Workload:One that led to Facebook paying Some Million to 52 million US-based contractors last spring For The shock they sustained on the job:
Before the epidemic, content moderation was a very cruel act of Facebook. We put an end to the violence and child abuse for hours. Moderators working on child abuse material were targeted during the epidemic, without any additional support.
Now, at the top of a job that is psychologically toxic, holding on to a job means walking into a hot zone. In many office fees, there have been multiple COVID cases on the floor. Workers have called on Facebook’s leadership, and the leadership of your outsourcing companies like Accenture and CPL, to take immediate action to protect us and value our work. You refused. We are publishing this letter because we have no choice.
With the ability to work from home, tHe letter ‘The signatures also list a number of other demands, including the option to receive risk pay and end outsourcing and bring moderate mediators home so they can receive health care and other benefits.
The letter prompted a response from Facebook, which the company was quick to argue with The 15,000 content reviewers it employs continue to work from home during most epidemics and reiterate that it will provide “wellness resources” for its workers.
“While we believe in open internal dialogue, these discussions need to be honest,” a Facebook spokesperson said. Toby Parlett Said New York Times In a statement. “Facebook has surpassed health guidelines on securing facilities for any-fee work.”
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