Amazon workers in India have joined strike motion calling for higher wages and dealing circumstances as the corporate prepares for one of many busiest shopping periods of the 12 months.
About 200 warehouse staff and supply drivers rallied within the capital, New Delhi, below a “Make Amazon Pay” banner. Some donned masks of Amazon chief Jeff Bezos and joined arms towards the Seattle-based firm’s practices.
The walkout on Black Friday, which begins one of many largest purchasing weekends of the 12 months, was repeated at Amazon warehouses in different nations as staff referred to as for larger wages, higher working circumstances, and union rights.
“Our primary wage is 10,000 rupees ($120), which needs to be no less than 25,000 rupees ($295),” mentioned Manish Kumar, 25, a warehouse employee who joined the New Delhi protest. “And the setting there’s to work below stress,” he added.
Nitesh Das, a union chief, mentioned the employees took to the streets as a result of they wished the federal government to take up their trigger.
Amazon, in a press release issued in India, accused the employees of “deliberately deceptive and persevering with to advertise a false narrative.”
“Our amenities are industry-leading and supply aggressive pay, snug working circumstances, and specifically designed infrastructure to make sure a secure and wholesome working setting for all,” the corporate mentioned.
“We’ve created greater than 1.5 million jobs all over the world, and counting, and we offer a contemporary, secure, and interesting office whether or not you’re employed in an workplace or at considered one of our operations buildings.”
An announcement from the Amazon India Staff Union mentioned related protests are deliberate in different components of India and in different nations, together with the USA, Germany, Japan, and Brazil. The demonstrations will name on Amazon to pay its staff pretty, respect their proper to affix unions, and decide to environmental sustainability, it mentioned.
The union mentioned it might submit a memorandum highlighting its calls for to India’s Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The gig economic system has turn into big in India as a result of its quick financial progress, however staff face low wages and troublesome working circumstances.
India’s Nationwide Human Rights Fee despatched a discover to Amazon in June 2023 after native media studies that staff have been being made to work with out breaks throughout the peak sizzling summer season season. Amazon India denied the cost.
—Shonal Ganguly, Related Press