During one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, Amazon staff in India have gone on strike to demand better wages and working conditions. About 200 warehouse workers and delivery drivers gathered in New Delhi under a “Make Amazon Pay” banner, some even wearing masks of Amazon chief Jeff Bezos to protest against the company’s practices.
The strike took place on Black Friday, marking the start of a major shopping weekend, with similar protests happening at Amazon warehouses in other countries. Workers are advocating for higher wages, improved working conditions, and the right to form unions.
Manish Kumar, a 25-year-old Amazon warehouse worker participating in the New Delhi protest, stated that the monthly basic salary of 10,000 rupees ($120) should be increased to at least 25,000 rupees ($295). He also highlighted the high-pressure work environment at the company.
Nitesh Das, a union leader, explained that the workers took to the streets to urge the government to support their cause. The Amazon India Workers Union announced plans for similar protests in various parts of India and other countries like the United States, Germany, Japan, and Brazil.
In response, Amazon issued a statement in India refuting the workers’ claims and emphasizing their commitment to providing competitive pay and safe working conditions. The company mentioned that they have created over 1.5 million jobs globally and strive to offer a modern and engaging workplace.
The union intends to present a memorandum outlining their demands to India’s Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The gig economy in India has grown significantly, but workers often face challenges such as low wages and harsh working conditions.
In June 2023, India’s National Human Rights Commission raised concerns about Amazon’s treatment of workers after reports of employees working without breaks in extreme heat. Amazon India denied these allegations.
By Shonal Ganguly
