Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, is under scrutiny in India following allegations of unsafe working conditions and violations of labour laws. A recent inspection of its warehouse in Manesar, near New Delhi, uncovered several breaches, leading to legal action against the company. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the situation.
Unsafe Working Conditions at Amazon’s Manesar Warehouse
An inspection conducted in May 2023 flagged multiple safety and labour violations at Amazon’s Manesar warehouse in Haryana. Key findings include:
- Inadequate Safety Gear: Workers were reportedly not provided with the necessary safety equipment.
- Improper Clothing for Female Workers: Female employees working near moving machinery lacked the mandatory tight-fitting clothing, posing significant safety risks.
- Poor Record-Keeping: Amazon failed to maintain proper documentation of worker contracts and employment identity cards, violating Indian labour laws.
These issues violate India’s strict regulations for worker safety and welfare, putting Amazon in direct conflict with national laws.
Incident Sparks Legal Action
The inspection followed a May 2023 incident, where workers reported being pressured to forgo breaks to meet unrealistic daily targets. According to worker testimonies:
- Employees were verbally coerced into pledging not to take water or restroom breaks until they met their targets.
- These pledges were described as a “motivational exercise” by Amazon but led to widespread dissatisfaction among workers.
The findings prompted the Haryana government to file a case against Amazon in a Gurugram court. While Amazon has denied systemic issues, it acknowledged the incident as “unfortunate and isolated” in a letter to India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Worker Testimonies: Pressure, Monitoring, and Unrealistic Targets
Workers at the Manesar warehouse described a highly stressful work environment:
- Unrealistic Performance Targets:
Employees were required to process 60 return items per hour or stow 150 items per hour, leaving little room for errors or delays.“We barely have a minute to inspect returned items and determine if they’re sellable,” said Prakash, a warehouse worker. - Limited Rest Periods:
Break times were reportedly too short to accommodate basic needs like eating or using restrooms. Workers like Supriya shared:“The break time is insufficient to use the restroom or even stand in line for food.” - Surveillance Systems:
Amazon uses an ADAPT system (Associate Development and Performance Tracker) to monitor worker productivity in real-time. Workers claim that:- Falling short of targets results in “negative scores.”
- Accumulating three negative scores within 22 days risks termination or blacklisting.
This intense surveillance has been a source of stress and dissatisfaction among employees.
Amazon’s Response
Amazon has publicly defended its practices, stating:
- Workers have access to “industry-leading infrastructure.”
- They are allowed “informal breaks” as needed.
However, employees contest these claims, asserting that the pressure to meet targets makes such breaks impossible.
In response to the specific May incident, Amazon stated it had conducted an internal investigation and addressed the issue but did not disclose any disciplinary action against the manager involved.
Broader Legal and Ethical Concerns
The Haryana government has taken legal action against Amazon based on the inspection findings. While a hearing was scheduled for October 28, it was postponed to December 10, 2023.
This case has sparked debates about worker welfare and corporate responsibility in India.
- A survey by the Amazon India Workers Association (AIWA) revealed that over 80% of warehouse workers find Amazon’s performance targets “difficult to achieve.”
- Globally, Amazon has faced similar allegations, including a $34 million fine in France earlier this year for intrusive employee monitoring.
Workers Demand Change
Amazon employees are calling for the following improvements:
- End to Constant Surveillance: Workers demand the removal of the ADAPT system, which they feel invades their privacy.
- Fair Targets and Breaks: Adjusting hourly targets to reasonable levels and ensuring adequate rest periods.
- Dignity at Work: Employees want a supportive work environment free from undue pressure.
Global Implications
This case highlights a growing trend of worker dissatisfaction within Amazon’s global operations. As more employees speak out against harsh working conditions, regulatory scrutiny on the company is intensifying.
Amazon’s actions in response to this case will likely set a precedent for its labour practices in India and beyond.
