This Friday, thousands of Amazon workers joined dozens of protests organized by the #MakeAmazonPay movement, which has spread to at least 30 countries.
Dissenters demonstrated in against current working conditions and for better wagesin line with the demands that were seen around the world in the middle of Black Friday, the date of massive purchases that go beyond the United States.
Black Friday sales mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season and are crucial for retailers in the country; however, they also time of high demand for employees from companies like Amazon that gobble up long and grueling workdays.
In the United States, the protests have reportedly spread to at least two Amazon properties located in Missouri and New York. #MakeAmazonPay traffic reports.
At a warehouse in St. Peters, Missouri, workers have quit their jobs, and in New York, unionized Amazon employees have staged a protest outside an apartment building. owned by Jeff Bezoscompany founder.
During the protests, Union of Retailers, Wholesalers and Department Stores President Stuart Applebaum pointed out that Amazon is stealing humanity from its workersnot only in the United States, but in all the countries in which it operates.
“Amazon workers all over the world, no matter what country they live and work in, face the same brutal treatment from Amazon. Working conditions at Amazon are so bad that there is a staff turnover of 150% per yearAppelbaum told Al Jazeera.
In addition to the United States, protests against the Amazon have spread to Germany, France, the UK, Japan, Australia, India, Argentina, Ireland, South Africa, Palestine, and Bangladesh, among others.
Applebaum added that the high cost of living caused by inflation is another problem that Amazon workers have to deal with every day, despite unfavorable wage conditions.
“Amazon business model treat people like robots. They are algorithm-driven, they get fired via text messages on their phones, people are afraid to go to the toilet because they could lose their jobs if they don’t meet their performance quota,” the union representative added.
Demonstrations were reported in Germany in nine out of 20 Amazon stores has in this European country; however, the company said its facilities were practically operating as normal on Friday.
In that country, the Verdi union demanded that the company founded by Jeff Bezos recognize the country’s retail and mail-order collective bargaining agreements.
They also demanded better working conditions and clarified that the Amazon worker can travel up to 12.4 miles in one working day.
Amazon workers faced a similar scenario in France, where unions SUD and CGT demonstrated in front of some companies’ offices near Paris.
Amazon France also indicated that there were no signs of problems in its work this Friday during the days of the protests.
The company currently has global workforce 1.5 million workerswho mostly work hourly.
Source: La Opinion
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