Netflix Fires Black Employee Leading Strike... "Leaking Confidential Information Such as Production Costs"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Junhyung] Netflix has fired a Black female employee who led a strike against the company.

Foreign media including the UK Guardian reported on the 16th (local time) that Netflix fired a key figure who led a strike against the company defending the comedy show 'The Closer,' which sparked controversy over transphobia.

Netflix stated, "We have terminated an employee who leaked commercially sensitive company secrets." A Netflix spokesperson said, "We understand that this employee was disappointed and hurt by Netflix," adding, "From the company's perspective, maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is important."

This dismissal by Netflix came after Bloomberg News reported confidential information about Netflix's production costs obtained from internal sources. Earlier, on the 15th (local time), Bloomberg reported that $24.1 million (approximately 28.6 billion KRW) was invested in the stand-up comedy 'The Closer' by popular comedian Dave Chappelle.

Information about the show's appearance fees, viewer numbers, and production costs of some programs such as 'Squid Game' was also leaked. Since Netflix has emphasized transparency while strengthening internal security, this incident is considered unusual.

According to the American media outlet The Verge, the dismissed employee is a pregnant Black woman. She is known to have led a strike centered on LGBTQ+ employees protesting against 'The Closer,' which was embroiled in transphobia controversy, and the company's tough response. The strike was scheduled for the 20th.

Chappelle recently identified himself as a "Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist" in the latest season of 'The Closer,' which sparked backlash from transgender employees and others. Despite the controversy, Netflix proceeded with airing the show.

Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-CEO, defended Chappelle in an internal message to employees, dismissing the social harm caused by the content. Additionally, Netflix suspended three transgender employees who criticized 'The Closer' on social media. They returned to the company after their suspension.