The situations for Amazon workers in India particularly during heatwaves, highlight significant challenges in warehouse conditions. Reports of insufficient breaks and safety concerns raise serious questions about worker welfare. Ensuring proper working conditions, and climate control is crucial for maintaining health and productivity. this situation underscores the need for stricter regulations and better enforcement to protect workers’ “Right and well-being in the demanding environment “.
There are 25 FBA warehouses of amazon in India. Assam -1, Delhi -3, Gujrat -1, Haryana-4, Karnatak-3, Madhya Pradesh -1, Maharashtra -4, Punjab – 1, Rajasthan -2, Tamilnadu-2, Telangana -1, Uttar Pradesh – 1, west Bengal -1, most of the FBA warehouse located in the extreme temperature states of India.
Manju Goel, a leader of the workers’ association in Manesar Haryana highlights the severe lack of ventilation and cooling in amazon’s ware house with approximately 2,000 workers in her facilities, the oppressive conditions force them to stand for 10 hours straight without seating, all for a meager, months’ salary of around 10,000 rupees.
We cannot go to the washrooms for hours on end, the break rooms are too small to accommodate everyone, especially in this heat [source: Logistic insiders]
Amazon workers face issues like long hours and physical strain due to high productivity targets, and they often report insufficient breaks and high-stress conditions. the heat wave has worsened working conditions, prompting workers to unionize and voice their demands more strongly. despite multiple complaints to amazon and the ministry’s labor, no significant action has been taken. workers have sent evidence from various locations such as loading, unloading, scanning, and packing areas.
AIWA (Amazon India workers association) wrote to the ministry of labor and employment, as per a press release on 28th may 2024.
Kamal Kumar Niyogi, Legal advisor to AIWA also pointed out that workers have adequate sitting arrangements as per section 44 (subsection 1 and 2) of the factories Act, 1948. Following demands raise by AIWA
Following demands raise by AIWA
- The Ministry of Labour and Employment should request the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to declare heat waves as disasters.
- Amazon warehouse and other platform employers should provide workers with a heating surcharge during extreme heat periods.
- There should be a moratorium on card blocking during heat waves
- Ensure access to shade, drinking water, and toilets for platform workers across the warehouse.
- Provide special training to warehouse workers on heatstroke prevention, advisory, and regular weather alerts.
- Warehouse platforms should provide protective gear to workers, such as UV-protected long-sleeve shirts, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, and oral rehydration solutions (ORS), free of cost.
- Establish an emergency helpline for workers affected by heatstroke. The app should have a special option to report heat stroke, protecting workers from identity blocks.
- In case of heatstroke, workers should be duly compensated based on their average daily earnings or the state’s declared minimum wage, whichever is higher.
- Ensure adequate temperature in all locations of warehouses of the platforms such as Amazon.