Indian trade unions to join global protests against Amazon India

• The protest is organised by the Amazon Pay Coalition, co-convened by the UNI Global Union and the Progressive International.
• The coalition wants Amazon to pay its workers fairly and respect their right to join unions, in addition to others.
• In India, the Indian Federation of App-based Transport workers (IFAT), Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, Hawkers Joint Action Committee and Gig Workers Association are joining the protests.

Supply chain workers of Amazon in India are protesting against the e-commerce giant as part of a global movement organised by the Make Amazon Pay Coalition on Friday, coinciding with the beginning of crucial Black Friday sales.

This is the third year of the ‘Make Amazon Pay’ global protests – covering 40 countries. The Make Amazon Pay Coalition, co-convened by UNI Global Union and the Progressive International, is a coalition of over 80 unions, civil society organisations, environmentalists and tax watchdogs like Greenpeace, 350.org, Tax Justice Network and Amazon Workers International.

The coalition wants Amazon to pay its workers fairly and respect their right to join unions, pay its fair share of taxes and commit to real environmental sustainability.

It charges Amazon with “squeezing every last drop it can” from “workers, communities and the planet” in the face of the cost of living scandal, global debt crisis and climate emergency.

“Real wages are going down while the corporation rakes in record revenue - $121 billion for the second quarter of 2022 - and doubles down on its union-busting tactics,” the coalition said on its website.

In India, the Indian Federation of App-based Transport workers (IFAT), Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, Hawkers Joint Action Committee and Gig Workers Association are joining the protests.

Thousands of workers, street vendors and supporters are expected to rally in over 20 cities including outside parliament in New Delhi on Friday. The protesters will march to their respective district magistrate offices and submit a memorandum.

“On Black Friday, in what has already been named #MakeAmazonPay day, unions, civil society and progressive elected officials will stand shoulder to shoulder to denounce Amazon’s despicable multimillion dollar campaigns to kill worker-lead union efforts. It’s time for the tech giant to cease their awful, unsafe practices immediately, respect the law and negotiate with the workers who want to make their jobs better,” Shaik Salauddin, founder state president of Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) told Business Insider India.

As per the coalition’s website, Amazon workers from Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bhopal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand are likely to participate.

“These groups represent a variety of interests, and while we are not perfect in any area, if you objectively look at what Amazon is doing in each one of these areas you’ll see that we do take our role and our impact very seriously. We are inventing and investing significantly in all these areas, playing a significant role in addressing climate change with the Climate Pledge commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040, continuing to offer competitive wages and great benefits, and inventing new ways to keep our employees safe and healthy in our operations network, to name just a few. Anyone can see for themselves by taking a tour at one of our sites,” an Amazon spokesperson told Business Insider India.

The protests could be crucial as Black Friday sales – annual retail sale events starting a day after Thanksgiving in the US when retail chains offer deep discounts – tend to provide a big boost in sales for retailers and e-commerce players globally. This year, most of the sales commence on 25th November and end on 28th November.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday: The sales, scams and myths
Sensex, Nifty50 close flat on a range-bound day – HDFC Life, Reliance rise, ICICI Bank drags
Amazon workers are planning a strike on Black Friday demanding fair pay and an end to unsafe practices