Social media moderators in Germany seek improved working conditions in battling toxic content

Facebook and TikTok apps are seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/FILE PHOTO

(Reuters) -Hundreds of social media moderators in Germany – who remove harmful content from platforms such as Facebook and TikTok – are calling on lawmakers to improve their working conditions, citing tough targets and mental health issues.

Cengiz Haksöz, who has worked as a content moderator at outsourcer TELUS International, is due to appear before the Bundestag's Digital Council on Wednesday when he is expected to tell lawmakers his work screening harmful material left him "mentally and emotionally drained".