In a resolution to a year-long dispute, X, formerly known as Twitter, has reportedly paid off the African staff laid off in its headquarters in Accra.
The employees, terminated in November 2022 amid global staff reductions overseen by Elon Musk, threatened legal action for unpaid redundancy money promised by the company.
Elon Musk, who assumed control of X in 2022, implemented a significant global staff reduction, leading to the termination of over 6,000 employees due to financial losses.
The African contingent, comprising less than 20 individuals, had recently relocated to X’s new office in Accra before facing termination.
Legal representation by Agency Seven Seven played a crucial role in securing redundancy settlements and repatriation expenses for the African staff.
While the exact payout remains undisclosed, the relieved staff is grateful to finally receive their due.
The terminated employees had previously claimed that their treatment by X adversely affected their mental health and finances.
Elon Musk, in a rare interview, acknowledged the substantial reduction in X’s workforce from just under 8,000 to 1,500 employees.
Despite Musk’s earlier mention of three months’ severance pay on Twitter, the terminated African staff alleged they were not granted this benefit.
Negotiations between X and the African staff only commenced after the story gained media attention, particularly from the BBC.
This settlement follows X’s previous legal troubles, including a lawsuit filed by ex-employees in California, accusing the company of refusing to pay promised severance packages totaling at least $500 million.
