Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two of the biggest shopping events of the year, Amazon employees in more than 20 countries, including the US and the UK, are planning to stage rallies or go on strike, according to organizers.
The initiative’s organizers, the grassroots activist group Progressive International and the Switzerland-based labor federation UNI Global Union, say the goal of the planned “Make Amazon Pay” protests is to “hold Amazon accountable for labor abuses, environmental degradation, and threats to democracy.”
“We are unified in our demand that Amazon respect fundamental rights, treat its employees properly, and cease undermining the safeguards that are in place to protect us all.
“Make Amazon Pay Day is turning into a worldwide protest against Amazon’s power abuse,” stated Christy Hoffman, UNI Global Union general secretary.
“These groups represent a variety of interests, and while we’re always listening and looking at ways to improve, we remain proud of the competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and engaging, safe work experience we provide our teams,” said Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards in a statement.
According to the two strike organizers, unions and affiliated organizations want to stage protests in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, and other countries.
Thousands of Amazon employees are planning to go on strike in at least six German towns. Hundreds of Amazon employees are anticipated to demonstrate in New Delhi to call for equitable treatment.
In an era of economic disparity, labor leaders worldwide are becoming more confident in their ability to challenge big businesses, which is why the planned “global day of resistance” has been organized.
The real value of minimum wages has been declining in many nations due to post-pandemic inflation and the growing cost of living, according to the International Labour Organization, a division of the United Nations.
American labor advocates have been more and more critical of Amazon and its wealthy founder, Jeff Bezos, in recent years. The outcomes have been inconsistent.
The first business warehouse to vote to become a union was an Amazon facility in Staten Island, New York, at the beginning of 2022. However, at least two union efforts in New York and comparable ones in Alabama failed.
How many American employees of Amazon, one of the world’s largest e-commerce and digital technology companies, would take part in the planned protests against the Seattle-based corporation was not immediately known.
Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, co-general coordinator of Progressive International, stated, “Amazon is everywhere, but so are we.” “By coordinating our efforts internationally, we can not only pressure Amazon to alter its practices but also establish the framework for a society that values human dignity over Jeff Bezos’ financial gain.”
According to Progressive International and the UNI Global Union, the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign is in its sixth year. The groups claim that thousands of workers have previously gone on strike at firm sites in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
