Meta Contractors Protest Layoffs at Dublin Headquarters Over Severance
Original: ‘We’re Just Getting the Crumbs Here’: Contractors Protest Layoffs at Meta’s European Headquarters
Why This Matters
Highlights growing tensions between tech giants and contractors amid AI automation shifts
Around 150 contract workers employed by Covalen protested outside Meta's Dublin headquarters Friday after 700 employees were told their content moderation and AI data labeling jobs were at risk due to reduced demand, with many receiving minimal or no severance.
Contract workers from Covalen, which provides content moderation and data labeling services for Meta's AI products, staged protests in Dublin after learning 700 jobs were at risk. Workers employed less than two years receive no severance, while others get minimum legal requirements of two weeks pay per year worked. The Communications Workers' Union is demanding double the current severance offer and payment for short-term employees. Protesters chanted 'We trained the bots. We did the grind. Now we're being left behind' as they marched from Covalen's offices to Meta's European headquarters. Meta spokesperson Erica Sackin said the company is reducing reliance on third-party vendors and strengthening internal systems.