Amazon workers around the globe are making their voices heard this Black Friday, launching protests to demand fairer wages and improved working conditions. These demonstrations are part of the larger "Make Amazon Pay" campaign, highlighting growing unrest among Amazon employees worldwide over perceived exploitation and unfair treatment.
More than 200 workers gathered on the streets of New Delhi, India, decked out with masks of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—a vivid symbol of their grievances against the retail giant. Their demands focus on basic rights: fair wages, safe working conditions, and the acknowledgment of their right to unionize.
"Our basic salary is just 10,000 rupees (around $120), which isn't enough to live on. We need at least 25,000 rupees (about $295) to make ends meet," said Manish Kumar, 25, who works at Amazon's warehouse. The pressure to meet performance quotas is intense, with workers often feeling like they are being treated as mere cogs in the machine rather than valued employees.
This labor unrest doesn't stop at India's borders. Strikes and protests are organized across over 20 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Brazil, and Japan. Workers from various Amazon facilities are taking part, united by the sentiment against the company's practices during the busiest shopping weekend of the year.
The organization's global efforts aim not just for increased wages, but also for improved labor conditions and the right to form unions without the threat of retaliation. Leaders from UNI Global Union, which is spearheading these protests, have spoken out about the need to hold Amazon accountable for its labor practices and environmental impacts.
For many, the work environment at Amazon often leaves much to be desired. Warehouse staff report 10 to 12-hour shifts, where meeting imposed productivity targets becomes more important than their physical or mental wellbeing. Those who fail to meet targets face repercussions as severe as loss of pay or job termination.
"We are the backbone of Amazon's success, but instead of being appreciated, we are treated like disposable tools," voiced one delivery driver during the protest.
India has experienced rapid expansion of its gig economy, with companies like Amazon capitalizing on this trend. The tech giant has become synonymous with this growth, yet it has been criticized for the working conditions it offers. Reports from the National Human Rights Commission have indicated the necessity for intervention, particularly after allegations surfaced of workers being forced to work without breaks during oppressive heat waves.
The issue of workers' rights isn't contained to India. Amazon has faced scrutiny and protests internationally; earlier demonstrations occurred in various parts of Europe and Asia, underlining similar calls for systemic change.
A recent protest outside Amazon's headquarters in Seattle followed the launching of the "Make Amazon Pay" campaign, where demonstrators declared, "From India to the United States, the U.K. to Canada, workers are rising against exploitation and corporate intimidation. We're fighting for justice!"
Despite the global scale of the protests, Amazon's officials have largely downplayed the unrest. Eileen Hards, Amazon’s spokesperson, labeled the demonstrations as based on false narratives. "At Amazon, we provide great pay, benefits, and opportunities. We’ve created over 1.5 million jobs and offer safe workplaces across our facilities," she stated, emphasizing the company's commitment to its employees.
Nonetheless, workers argue the on-the-ground realities tell another story. During major sales events, employees often face grueling workloads, all the more pronounced during holiday seasons like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when the company needs to meet heightened demand for fast delivery.
This year's protests have gathered momentum, prompting labor organizations to reach out to the Indian Labor Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, urging the government to take action against the labor violations being reported at Amazon facilities. The union has vowed to keep pushing for tangible changes and promised continued actions across India and internationally.
The Black Friday protests represent more than just immediate concerns for workers; they signify a broader struggle against the exploitation endemic to many gig economy jobs. Workers are no longer willing to remain silent, and with movements like "Make Amazon Pay" gaining visibility, they provide hope for significant changes within one of the world's largest and most influential companies.
Whether this powerful wave of protests will yield visible results remains to be seen. But as demonstrations echo from New Delhi to cities worldwide, it’s clear: the fight for worker rights at Amazon is gaining traction, and employees are ready to demand their fair share.
