By Zainab Shafiq 
Formerly known as Twitter, X has finally settled payment dispute for staff laid off from its African headquarters, according to representatives. The employees, based in Accra, Ghana, were terminated just a few months into their job in November 2022. Threats of legal action emerged due to X’s failure to fulfill promised redundancy payments, despite previous claims of full payment to ex-employees.
Elon Musk, who took control of X in 2022, initiated a massive global layoff, leading to the termination of over 6,000 employees, citing significant daily losses. The African workforce, numbering less than 20, recently transitioned to X’s new office in Accra after approximately eight months of remote work due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Agency Seven Seven, representing the staff, confirmed successful negotiations for redundancy settlements and repatriation expenses, though the exact amount remains undisclosed. Carla Olympio from Agency Seven Seven expressed the employees’ relief in finally receiving their dues and the ability to move forward.
The resolution marks the conclusion of a prolonged battle for the terminated staff, allowing them to focus on their future endeavors. However, the incident sheds light on the complexities of corporate restructuring and its impact on employees, highlighting the importance of legal representation for workers in disputes with large corporations. While the payment settlement brings closure to the affected individuals, it also serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of workers in the face of corporate decisions.