A documentary reveals how Amazon is practically based on slave labour. Thousands of temporary workers are employed at Amazon under inhumane conditions. Deceived with false promises, they are recruited in various countries such as Spain and Poland, they have to work and live under inhumane conditions. They can get fired for no reason without notice, get transported in crowded vehicles (if they manage to get on one), and are accomodated in hotels where they have to share little space with many co-workers. On top of that, they are being controlled (= harassed and threatened) by neonazi (!) security personnel. The documentary only covers amazon.de, though it is doubtful whether the situation is different, let alone better, elsewhere. Being glad I only once used Amazon I most certainly will never use it again.
I was not aware of the fact that this is apparently general knowledge. Browsing the internet I realised that Amazon has been running sweatshops for a long time and not just in Germany or Europe, it seems. Sad that nobody obviously gives a fuck about Amazon's employment conditions. Actually, who suggested this was a terrible thread and why?
I don't want the cheapest books but I do want accessible books and their website is very easy to use. I prefer independents and Abe Books is my first port of call. On the other hand, if they're absorbing a proportion of the eastern european hordes before they can pass through Germany then perhaps they're not such a bad thing...
I had a job once that I did not like. I found another. You have a point, people work at Amazon on their own free will. If they do not like the work, they should get another job. Problem is, some people cannot choose between bad job and good job but only between no job, bad job and even worse job. Besides, I do not think it is the workers' problem; I think the real issue is that a company like Amazon (well, any company really, but being international and so popular etc makes it even worse) can have people work under inhumane conditions, and nobody seems to take offence at it. I love books and I would much prefer them to be cheap; but like Owen says, someone has to pay the price for that, and I for one will rather not have a book or get it from the library than support miserable working conditions. Just like I prefer buying at the local butcher, but that is another story...
I thought this was an interesting article in The Independent Amazon 'used neo-Nazi guards to keep immigrant workforce under control' in Germany - Europe - World - The Independent
You have a point, people work at Amazon on their own free will. If they do not like the work, they should get another job. Problem is, some people cannot choose between bad job and good job but only between no job, bad job and even worse job. Besides, I do not think it is the workers' problem; I think the real issue is that a company like Amazon (well, any company really, but being international and so popular etc makes it even worse) can have people work under inhumane conditions, and nobody seems to take offence at it. I love books and I would much prefer them to be cheap; but like Owen says, someone has to pay the price for that, and I for one will rather not have a book or get it from the library than support miserable working conditions. Just like I prefer buying at the local butcher, but that is another story... I understand. I guess "inhuman" is open to interpretation. I chose not be a farmer like my father and grandfather for what some could interpret as inhuman working conditions. Heck, you could say that my "hobby" is inhuman-and I do it for free. Who in their right mind would purposely enter a burning structure? Well, I don't actually fight fires internally anymore, the doctor won't let me, but I did for a good 15 or so years. Regardless, I made a choice. Anyway, we all make choices. Workers choose to work there or not work there. If enough of them were to choose not to, I am certain Amazon would make changes, if necessary, because they need someone to do what ever it is they do there. I don't want to drag this out any further than I already have. You may have the last word.
I understand. I guess "inhuman" is open to interpretation. I chose not be a farmer like my father and grandfather for what some could interpret as inhuman working conditions. Heck, you could say that my "hobby" is inhuman-and I do it for free. Who in their right mind would purposely enter a burning structure? Well, I don't actually fight fires internally anymore, the doctor won't let me, but I did for a good 15 or so years. Regardless, I made a choice. Anyway, we all make choices. Workers choose to work there or not work there. If enough of them were to choose not to, I am certain Amazon would make changes, if necessary because they need someone to do what ever it is they do there. I don't want to drag this out any further than I already have. You may have the last word. Was going to post something here but it 'ant worth it. I going back to looking at planes.
Jeff, I admire people who do jobs like yours. Having worked as an assistant nurse I know what it means to demanding and (at least partly) unpleasant and hard work. Someone has to do it and I am very grateful there are people who do. Fact is, some jobs are indeed of dangerous, gross or dull nature. But what is scandalous about Amazon's employment conditions is that they could easily offer better ones. Sure, packing stuff is boring and repetitive, but it does not require long hour shifts, bad accomodation or a nazi Sicherheitsdienst. It would be no problem for Amazon to offer decent conditions for their jobs - but they choose not to, and few clients seem to mind. They have a choice (incl. the means), and they prefer sweatshops. That is what I find outrageous.
Kate, I think that most members will not agree with Amazon's choice of management styles when it comes to the workers. But the truth is there are many more places far worse in the world, just taking the clothing industry in the east, where many people have lost their lives due to fires starting in the factories. When people learn the truth, such as the latest about Amazon, they choose to vote with their feet or continue always to purchase from the cheapest source regardless. It is not such an easy choice for those on low incomes who always have to count up the pennies. A real moral and social delema. Regards Tom
Does all this apply only to Amazon's practices in Europe, or to their operations in the Western Hemisphere as well?
It would be no problem for Amazon to offer decent conditions for their jobs - but they choose not to, and few clients seem to mind. They have a choice (incl. the means), and they prefer sweatshops. That is what I find outrageous. So you don't wear jeans. Or sneakers. And you don't have a smartphone... and probably you don't drive a car as well... because you choose not to buy from companies who employ slave labour... Kind regards, Jos (PS. and if you don't understand the "car" reference, think about where your fuel is coming from... probably the middle east, where it is still LEGAL to keep slaves...)
So you don't wear jeans. Or sneakers. And you don't have a smartphone... and probably you don't drive a car as well... because you choose not to buy from companies who employ slave labour... Kind regards, Jos (PS. and if you don't understand the "car" reference, think about where your fuel is coming from... probably the middle east, where it is still LEGAL to keep slaves...) Whoa, hold it! I posted the article to inform others about Amazon - I for one had not known about that until I saw the documentary a few days ago. I'm a treehugger, so shove your allegations... elsewhere.
