\nAmazon employees and their supporters are embarking on a series of worldwide actions to hold the online retail giant accountable for alleged worker exploitation, environmental harm, and undermining democratic values, as reported by the labor organization UNI Global Union.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe campaign, named “Make Amazon Pay,” is scheduled from November 29 to December 2. It features strikes and protests on six continents, strategically planned to coincide with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which are among the busiest shopping days online.\n<\/p>\n
\n“The moment we declared our plans to demonstrate today, our management tried several tactics to deter us. We want to make it clear to Amazon that they couldn’t stop us today and won\u2019t be able to in the future,” stated the general secretary of the Amazon India Workers Union at a protest in India.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe “Make Amazon Pay” movement was initiated in 2020 by UNI Global Union alongside Progressive International, a coalition of left-leaning groups. Each year, the campaign has grown, according to its organizers, drawing in a diverse array of participating groups focused on climate, racial, and economic justice.\n<\/p>\n
\nProgressive International lists various activities under this campaign, including strikes at multiple Amazon warehouses in Germany, grassroots actions in various French locales organized by the justice group Attac, a rally in India addressing unsafe working conditions, and a protest at an Amazon call center by trade union members. Actions are planned in over 30 countries worldwide.\n<\/p>\n
\n“This battle is global. Every picket line, every strike, every act of solidarity counts. We are crafting a new world, one strike and one conversation at a time. Together, we are unstoppable,” remarked Christy Hoffman, UNI Global Union’s general secretary, while addressing striking workers in Germany.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe campaign claims Amazon is exploiting workers, communities, and the environment. “Even as profits tripled in early 2024, Amazon continues to monitor and pressure its drivers and warehouse staff, risking serious physical and mental damage,” state the campaign documents.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn response, a spokesperson from Amazon U.S. told Newsweek<\/em>: “The reality is that at Amazon we offer excellent pay, benefits, and career opportunities from day one. We have created over 1.5 million jobs globally, and we maintain a modern, safe, and engaging work environment, whether in our offices or operation facilities.”\n<\/p>\n \nSeveral progressive political figures have expressed their support online.\n<\/p>\n \n“Today, I am in solidarity with Amazon workers striking and protesting in over 30 countries worldwide to #MakeAmazonPay,” Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the British Labour Party, posted online.\n<\/p>\n \n“While billionaire Bezos sails the globe on his $500 million yacht, Amazon employees in more than 20 countries are standing up this Black Friday demanding fair wages, union rights, and climate accountability. Amazon needs to pay its fair share and respect its workers. I support #MakeAmazonPay,” U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) shared on X.\n<\/p>\n \nFollowing the first “Make Amazon Pay” campaign in 2020, hundreds of lawmakers from various countries supported the initiative with an open letter to Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder.\n<\/p>\n \n“The global community is aware that Amazon can afford to adequately compensate its workers, cover its environmental costs, and pay its taxes. Yet, you repeatedly evade and ignore your obligations to your workers, societies, and the planet,” the letter criticized. Among the U.S. signatories were Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).<\/p>\n\n\n