"International Protests and Strikes Target Amazon on Black Friday"
ICARO Media Group
Article:
The "Make Amazon Pay" campaign has gained traction worldwide, with strikes and protests taking place in over 30 countries on Black Friday. Organizers of the campaign claim that dozens of organizations are participating in the global movement to demand better pay and working conditions from the e-commerce giant.
In Germany, over 2,000 workers participated in the Black Friday strike, targeting multiple Amazon locations, according to the Verdi union. This is part of the country's contribution to the international campaign. Simultaneously, the German Peng! collective staged a protest outside the "Amazon Tower" building in Berlin, drawing attention to alleged abuses and exploitation within the company.
The tensions between Verdi and Amazon have been ongoing for more than a decade in Germany. Verdi union members have been voicing their concerns about pay and working conditions, arguing that Amazon needs to provide fair wages and improved benefits. On the other hand, Amazon maintains that it already offers competitive wages and benefits to its employees.
Similar reports of strikes and protests have emerged from worker organizations in Spain, Italy, and France. These actions highlight the reach of the "Make Amazon Pay" campaign, which aims to draw attention to allegations of worker exploitation, tax avoidance, and unmet environmental commitments by the multinational online retailer.
In the United Kingdom, over 200 employees at the Amazon warehouse in Coventry went on strike, demanding a minimum hourly wage of £15 ($18.69, €17.29). Amazon UK, however, stated that its minimum starting pay ranges from £11.80 to £13, depending on the location, and is set to increase to £12.30 to £13 in the coming spring.
The "Make Amazon Pay" campaign is coordinated by the UNI Global Union, an organization that claims to represent over 20 million workers from various sectors worldwide. Along with scores of other groups participating in the campaign, the UNI Global Union accuses Amazon of exploiting its workers, evading taxes, and failing to meet environmental obligations.
The global resonance of the campaign reflects a growing awareness and concern about workers' rights, as the labor movement gains momentum. Organizers of the "Make Amazon Pay" initiative emphasize that their events span every inhabited continent, demonstrating the widespread support for their cause.
As the Black Friday shopping extravaganza gains momentum across the globe, the "Make Amazon Pay" campaign serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices in the e-commerce industry. The strikes and protests signal a call for change and demand that Amazon takes responsibility for its treatment of workers, communities, and the environment.