Black Friday is considered to be the busiest time for Amazon but this year this is not the case as protests erupt across Europe, America, and the United Kingdom just before black Friday at different sites of Amazon.
Protests are being staged in front of the Amazon buildings in these regions.
According to reports, “Make Amazon Pay”, an international coalition of different equality and environment groups and unions are staging these protests.
The movement is demanding Amazon to change its business tactics and protocols such as union engagement, improving the pay scale, and a final end to employee surveillance.
Another environmental group called Extinction Rebellion has blocked the entranceways of Amazon distribution centers across the United Kingdom.
The group states that it has targeted 13 different buildings of amazon in Britain which includes the largest distribution center located in Dunfermline.
Similar protests are also being staged in the Netherlands and Germany.
Make Amazon Pay claims “Amazon takes too much and gives back too little.” This notation is also backed by different grassroots campaigns, trade unions, and several non-profit organizations.
More than 50 organizations worldwide have pledged to support the Make Amazon Pay movement and have offered their coalition. The common demands are:
· raising warehouse workers’ pay and adding hazard pay and peak time increments
· halting worker “surveillance” and strict productivity targets
· extending sick leave and improving Covid-19 tracking and reporting
· ending casual employment status and “union-busting” activities
· paying taxes without using loopholes or tax havens
Another group called War on Want stated “Amazon is abusing its dominance across online retail, cloud services, and logistics, to create unfair competition that is driving down standards for everyone.” “Amazon workers face unsafe conditions, constant surveillance and are treated like robots.”
“It’s time for Amazon to pay fair wages, fair taxes, and for its impact on the planet.”
Amazon has not officially responded to these protests but has stated that “these claims are using incomplete information that’s without context and designed to intentionally mislead.”
“We know we’re not perfect and are continuing to get better every day, but the fact is that Amazon has 40% fewer injuries on average compared to other transportation and warehousing businesses in the UK,” stated a spokesperson.
