(Source : NBC) Amazon workers in more than 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, and Japan, are set to stage protests or go on strike between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. The global demonstrations, organized by the Swiss-based UNI Global Union and grassroots group Progressive International, are part of a campaign called “Make Amazon Pay.”
The protests aim to hold the retail giant accountable for issues such as labor abuses, environmental harm, and perceived threats to democracy. “Make Amazon Pay Day” has become an annual global act of resistance, with workers demanding fair treatment, better pay, and stronger protections for employees.
Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global Union, said, “We stand united in demanding that Amazon treat its workers fairly, respect fundamental rights, and stop undermining the systems meant to protect us all.”
Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards responded to the planned protests, stating that while the company listens to concerns, it remains proud of the competitive pay, benefits, and safe working environment it provides to employees.
The planned strikes include large demonstrations in several countries, such as in Germany, where thousands of workers are expected to walk off the job in at least six cities. In India, hundreds of workers in New Delhi will rally for fair treatment. Other protests are planned in France, Turkey, and Brazil, with Amazon employees in the U.S. also expected to participate, though the exact number remains unclear.
The “Make Amazon Pay” movement is gaining momentum as global labor leaders are increasingly challenging powerful corporations in the face of rising inequality and post-pandemic inflation, which has diminished the real value of wages in many countries.
This year marks the fifth consecutive “Make Amazon Pay” campaign. Previous actions have seen thousands of Amazon workers go on strike in countries such as Germany, France, and the U.K. While labor activism at Amazon has led to some victories, such as the successful unionization of an Amazon facility in Staten Island, New York, similar efforts in other locations, including Alabama, have failed.
Organizers are calling on global solidarity to pressure Amazon to improve its labor practices and to address concerns over working conditions. Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, co-general coordinator of Progressive International, stated, “By uniting our movements across borders, we can not only force Amazon to change its ways, but lay the foundations of a world that prioritizes human dignity.”
As Amazon continues to dominate the global e-commerce market, the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign is expected to keep gaining traction as part of a broader push for fair wages and workers’ rights across the world.
