Amazon workers in India have joined a global strike movement, demanding better wages and working conditions as the company gears up for one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
The strike, which took place on Black Friday, saw about 200 warehouse workers and delivery drivers rallying in New Delhi under the “Make Amazon Pay” banner.
Amazon Black Friday Protest Details
Participants in the New Delhi protest donned masks of Amazon chief Jeff Bezos and raised their voices against the Seattle-based company’s practices.
Manish Kumar, a 25-year-old Amazon warehouse worker, highlighted that the monthly basic salary is 10,000 rupees ($120).
He believes this amount should be at least 25,000 rupees ($295).
He also mentioned the high-pressure work environment.
Nitesh Das, a union leader, stated that the workers took to the streets to urge the government to address their concerns.
The Black Friday walkout was not limited to India. Similar protests occurred at Amazon warehouses in other countries, including the United States, Germany, Japan, and Brazil.
The international campaign is organized by UNI Global Union and Progressive International.
It aims to hold Amazon accountable for labor abuses, environmental negligence, and threats to democratic systems.
Amazon’s Response and Union’s Demands
In response to the protests, Amazon issued a statement in India, accusing the workers of “intentionally misleading” and promoting a “false narrative”.
The company emphasized that its facilities provide competitive pay and comfortable working conditions.
They also highlighted their specially designed infrastructure to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.
Amazon also highlighted that it has created more than 1.5 million jobs worldwide.
The Amazon India Workers Union plans to submit a memorandum to India’s Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The memorandum will outline their demands for fair pay, union rights, and environmental sustainability.
The union emphasized that similar protests are planned in other parts of India and other countries.
The gig economy has grown significantly in India due to its fast economic growth. However, workers often face low wages and difficult working conditions.
In June 2023, India’s National Human Rights Commission sent a notice to Amazon.
This action followed reports that workers were being made to work without breaks during the peak hot summer season.
The company denied the allegations, stating compliance with local labor laws.
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