Amazon workers to skip work 'en masse across the country' this week to demand coronavirus protections
At a time when the USA’s economy is witnessing a serious downturn with at least 22 million people having lost jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic, e-commerce giant Amazon looked to counter the situation by creating more employment opportunities. It hired more people as people engaged in online marketing more in the times of lockdown and several thousands were being recruited. But the company has also come under the scanner as it has been accused of not observing the social-distancing norms even as more people are joining its workforce.
Now, Amazon’s warehouse workers have taken up the issue. They have planned a “mass call out” this week starting Tuesday, April 21, to bring the world’s notice to what they allege is a complete lack of protection for people at workplaces.
Petition, report put Amazon in the dock
More than 300 Amazon workers employed in at least 50 facilities have enrolled themselves to participate in the protest, according to United for Respect, a workers' rights group. The protest will take place over many days since the workers’ shift timings vary.
Amazon’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been criticized as one petition by United for Respect said the giant has put the lives of its employees at increased risk without any reason. “There are now over 130 warehouses where employees have contracted COVID-19 (Coronavirus) including some warehouses with over 30 confirmed cases because of Amazon's inaction. Nationwide, we have been and will continue to call out sick until Amazon makes the necessary changes to put our health and safety first,” it said.
Another report has also come up with a sinister prediction. Focusing on the working conditions at Amazon, it said confirmed cases of coronavirus have been found at more than 50 percent of the firms’ warehouses in the country and warned that the disease could infect a vast number of workers in the days ahead. The report has been made by Athena Coalition and Hedge Clippers — both workers’ rights groups that used data from government health agencies and national and local news sources.
As of April 14, "nearly 75" of Amazon’s 110 warehouse facilities in the US have had at least one COVID-19 positive case, the report said, adding the numbers will "exponentially" rise. “Amazon is responsible for not becoming a vector for the coronavirus,” the report added. The workers wanted hazard pay, regular sanitization and immediate notification of COVID-19 diagnosis among the company’s staff members.
Amazon's hiring events questioned
Amazon’s hiring events held in various parts of the country in mid-March came were questioned as it was accused of not maintaining social distancing when calling people for recruitment. The company though defended itself saying in an emailed statement that it has updated its recruitment procedures to avoid large gatherings and ensure that the applicants maintained distance though it stopped short of saying exactly when it brought the changes, Bloomberg reported.
Warehousing and logistics have emerged as a top job-producing sector in the coronavirus-battered economy. However, if the precautionary measures are not taken to protect the growing workforce in that sector, it could leave an adverse effect on not just the employees and contractors but on all of Amazon’s customer base.
Amazon has slammed the critical findings of the report made by Athena and Hedge and counter alleged that they were funded by Amazon’s rivals.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our teams,” Amazon spokesperson Kristen Kish was quoted as saying by Vice.
"Since the early days of this situation, we have worked closely with health authorities to proactively respond, ensuring we continue to serve communities while taking care of our associates and teams. And, we have implemented more than 150 significant process changes to support our teams including increasing rates of pay, adjusting time off and providing temperature checks, masks, gloves and other safety measures at our sites."
Almost 788,000 people have been hit by the deadly virus in the US while the death toll has crossed 42,000, as per the John Hopkins tracker.