In a coordinated protest coinciding with Black Friday, Amazon employees in multiple countries are striking as part of the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign, spearheaded by UNI Global Union. The demonstrations, which began on Black Friday, are set to continue until December 2.
Protests have taken place in over 20 nations, highlighting allegations of labor exploitation, environmental degradation, and threats to democratic practices. Workers are demanding higher wages, safer working conditions, and the freedom to form trade unions.
Amazon has responded by labeling the protesters as “misinformation spreaders” and maintaining that their facilities are modern and secure. The company emphasizes its role in creating over 1.5 million jobs globally. However, reports indicate that in 2022, Amazon warehouses in the U.S. accounted for 50% of the country’s severe workplace injuries.
Roots of the Movement
The “Make Amazon Pay” initiative began in 2020 to hold Amazon accountable for its impact on employees, the environment, and society. The campaign is led by UNI Global Union and Progressive International and has gained the support of over 30 trade unions, environmental groups, and civil society organizations during this year’s strike.
This unified action underscores growing demands for corporate accountability and fair treatment of workers amid global labor rights concerns.
