TikTok’s fired Turkish moderators reveal traumatic content, poor pay, union-busting
A TikTok warning screen alerts users about potentially disturbing content that requires moderation, Istanbul, Türkiye, Mar. 19, 2025. (Created with Canva)
A group of TikTok content moderators in Türkiye recently claimed they were fired after attempting to unionize, raising concerns about labor rights and working conditions in the tech industry.
The Turkish moderators, employed by Telus Digital, a Canadian outsourcing firm that provides services for TikTok and other companies, claim they were dismissed as retaliation for their organizing efforts, according to an investigation by “The Independent” and “The Bureau of Investigative Journalism”.
However, Telus denies the allegations, stating that the terminations were due to documented misconduct, performance issues, or workforce reductions.
TikTok’s Turkish moderators suffer from mental health issues due to disturbing videos
The moderators were responsible for reviewing and removing videos that violated TikTok’s policies, including content featuring terrorism, extreme violence, child abuse, self-harm, and animal cruelty. Many of the workers interviewed reported significant mental health issues due to prolonged exposure to such distressing material.
Deniz*, a former moderator now suing Telus, described the emotional toll: “The work has affected me mentally for a very long time and I still have those scars on me … What I had witnessed during my content moderation, I also saw these things in my dreams.”
Another worker, Ulku*, said that moderating disturbing content had severe psychological effects. “I wasn’t given training, I wasn’t issued any formal or internal warning and I wasn’t put into a performance improvement plan or anything,” he said. “It felt very sudden.”
Turkish TikTok employees claim they were fired after unionizing
The moderators joined Cagri-Is, a union representing call center workers and content moderators, in an effort to improve their working conditions. They cited low pay and strict accuracy targets as key concerns.
According to Cagri-Is leader Cihan Sezer, the union recruited 60% of eligible Telus workers by mid-2024, surpassing the required threshold for recognition. However, Telus mounted a legal challenge against the union’s right to represent its employees.
Deniz explained her role in the union: “First I became a member of the union and then I began to persuade people to become members.” She was later fired after attending a protest, with her termination letter citing a workforce reduction.
Ulku, another dismissed worker, said that after Cagri-Is gained recognition from the Ministry of Labour, Telus objected, which led to many employees losing hope. “So during that time, I was a vocal and visible advocate of the union, trying to share facts about the union, to not let people’s hope go down.”
Fifteen workers have now filed lawsuits against Telus, alleging wrongful termination. Lawyer Evren Cildir, who represents the workers, said the case could reveal troubling workplace practices. “With this legal process, all of this can be exposed. They’ve been trying to cover it up, but receiving a decision against them will expose all of Telus’ bad practices.”
TikTok employees struggle with low wages, limited support
Telus employs around 1,000 moderators in Türkiye, who work eight to nine-hour shifts, including overnight shifts. They earn between ₺19,000 and ₺35,000 ($520-$960) per month, which is below Türkiye’s minimum wage of ₺22,000.
Seven workers interviewed expressed dissatisfaction with their pay, particularly amid Türkiye’s high inflation rate, which stood at 39% in February.
The company claims to offer well-being support, including access to psychologists, but workers say these services are difficult to access. Aytac*, a current moderator, said: “I only went once … because when we go to the psychologist our wellness breaks are cut off, so nobody is going. I prefer smoking.”
TikTok, which employs around 40,000 moderators worldwide, has faced criticism over the working conditions of outsourced moderators. The company stated that its agreements with outsourcing firms require well-being support for workers and that it promotes a caring work environment.
Union continues protests while legal battle over dismissals is ongoing
Despite the legal challenge, Cagri-Is continues to fight for recognition. The union organized another protest last month outside Telus offices, demanding the reinstatement of dismissed workers.
“The workers that are working inside, they are seeing our actions because we have been outside many times, and we are not giving up,” a union member said.
Zeynep*, a current TikTok moderator, highlighted the financial struggles workers face. “TikTok is a billion-dollar company. TikTok is one of the largest social media networks in the world, and they are paying us pennies… we’ve got no future, we’re barely sustaining our living.”
Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global, a trade union federation, condemned Telus’s treatment of its moderators. “Workers who endure traumatic working conditions deserve sustained psychological support and fair pay that recognizes their crucial role in shielding the public from dangerous content.”
Hoffman added: “It’s outrageous that Telus, with a disturbing history of union busting, treats these essential workers as disposable.”
The legal battle between the dismissed moderators and Telus is ongoing, with workers hoping that a court ruling in their favor will bring financial compensation and increased protections for moderators in the future. In the meantime, protests against Telus persist, now reaching their 69th consecutive day.
