Black Friday strikes See Indian Amazon workers demanding higher wages

Amazon workers in India staged protests on Black Friday, demanding better wages and working conditions, as the company experiences one of its busiest shopping seasons.

Around 200 warehouse workers and delivery drivers rallied in New Delhi under the slogan “Make Amazon Pay”, with some participants wearing masks of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in a symbolic protest against the company’s practices.

The strike was part of a wider global movement, with similar strikes held at Amazon facilities in the US, Germany, Japan and Brazil.

Workers are demanding higher wages, improved workplace conditions and the right to join unions without facing retaliation.

What do Amazon workers in India demand?

The Indian protests centered around Amazon’s wage structure, with workers highlighting the stark contrast between their earnings and the cost of living.

“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 attended the New Delhi rally.

Nitesh Das, a leader of the Amazon India Workers Union, emphasized that the protests were not only aimed at the company, but also intended to pressure the Indian government to take action on workers’ rights. “We want the government to take up our case,” Das said.

The union, which organized the protests, said similar actions would continue across India, along with other international locations.

What are the main requirements for Amazon workers?

The union has outlined several key demands, including fair wages, improved working conditions, the right to form more unions and stronger environmental commitments from the company.

A memorandum highlighting these demands will be submitted to India’s Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

The strike comes amid growing concern over the treatment of gig economy workers in India, where rapid economic growth has been accompanied by poor labor standards in many sectors.

While Amazon has created numerous jobs, particularly in e-commerce and delivery, critics argue that these roles often come with low pay, long hours and minimal benefits.

In June 2023, India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to Amazon after reports emerged claiming that workers were forced to work without breaks during the peak summer season.

How has Amazon responded to the Black Friday protests?

Amazon, in a statement issued in India, accused the workers of “deliberately misleading and continuing to promote a false narrative.”

“Our facilities are industry leading and provide competitive wages, comfortable working conditions and specially designed infrastructure to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all,” the company said.

Newsweek reached out to Amazon for further comment on Friday via email.

The company has faced increasing pressure from labor groups worldwide over its treatment of employees, particularly in the run-up to major sales events including Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday, when warehouse and delivery workers face increased workloads.

The strikes in India and other countries highlight growing discontent among workers who claim their compensation and working conditions have not kept pace with Amazon’s rapid expansion and profitability.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press