In the ongoing ‘Make Amazon Pay’ strike against the eponymous group, the Indian workforce too has joined the protest in demand for a hike in salary and improved working conditions. The movement backed by UNI Global Union and Progressive International saw employees raise their demands during the e-commerce giant’s peak sale phase which occurs between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Some demonstrators wore masks depicting Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, in a symbolic gesture against the company's practices.
Amazon warehouses in various countries saw similar actions, as workers worldwide called for higher wages, enhanced working conditions, and the right to unionise.
Manish Kumar, a 25-year-old Amazon warehouse worker who joined the protest in New Delhi, expressed his frustration with the current state of affairs. He revealed that his monthly base salary of ₹10,000 (approximately $120) is far below what he believes is fair. "This should be at least ₹25,000 ($295)," he said. "And the environment there is to work under pressure," he added, highlighting the stressful nature of his job.
Union leader Nitesh Das explained that the workers took to the streets to draw the government's attention to their plight, urging it to support their cause and take action.
In response to the protests, Amazon issued a statement in India, accusing the workers of "intentionally misleading and continuing to promote a false narrative." The company defended its practices, claiming, "Our facilities are industry-leading and provide competitive pay, comfortable working conditions, and specially designed infrastructure to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all."
Furthermore, Amazon's statement asserted that it has created more than 1.5 million jobs globally and continues to offer a modern, safe, and engaging workplace for all employees, whether in an office or at one of its operational facilities.
The Amazon India Workers Union, which organised the protest, has announced that similar demonstrations are planned in other parts of India, as well as in countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, and Brazil. The protests aim to pressure Amazon to ensure fair wages for its workers, recognise their right to join unions and commit to greater environmental sustainability.
The union also intends to submit a memorandum outlining its demands to India's Labour Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya.
India's rapidly expanding gig economy has brought both opportunities and challenges for workers. Despite the country's economic growth, many workers face low wages and challenging working conditions, particularly within the logistics and e-commerce sectors.
In June 2023, following media reports that Amazon workers were being forced to work long hours without breaks during the peak summer months, India's National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the company. However, Amazon India denied the allegations, insisting that the claims were unfounded.
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