Amazon workers in India join Black Friday strike action for better wages and working conditions

NEW DELHI — Amazon employees in India have joined strike action calling for better wages and working conditions as the company prepares for one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.

About 200 warehouse workers and delivery drivers rallied in the capital, New Delhi, under a “Make Amazon Pay” banner. Some took off masks Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and joined forces against the Seattle-based company’s practices.

The rash on Black Fridaywhich kicks off one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year, was repeated at Amazon warehouses in other countries as workers called for higher wages, better working conditions and union rights.

There was no immediate statement from Amazon India.

“Our basic salary is 10,000 rupees ($120), which should be at least 25,000 rupees ($295),” said Manish Kumar, 25, a warehouse worker who took part in the New Dehli protest. “And the environment there is for working under pressure,” he added.

Nitesh Das, a union leader, said the workers took to the streets because they want the government to take up their case.

A statement from the Amazon India Workers Union said similar protests are planned in other parts of India as well as in other countries including the US, Germany, Japan and Brazil. The demonstrations will call on Amazon to pay its workers fairly, respect their right to join unions and commit to environmental sustainability, it said.

The union said it would submit a memorandum highlighting its demands to India’s Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

The gig economy has become huge in India due to its rapid economic growth, but workers face low wages and difficult working conditions.

India’s National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to Amazon in June 2023 after local media reported that workers were forced to work without breaks during the high hot summer season. Amazon India denied the charge.