Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Manesar, Haryana, have claimed they were coerced into working without breaks, even as temperatures soared above 50°C. Amidst an unprecedented heatwave, employees describe dangerous working conditions that management allegedly ignored.
On May 16, employees reported being pressured to work continuously to meet increased targets. Managers allegedly instructed them to forgo breaks, including those for water and restroom visits, until their targets were met. Workers claimed they had to use plastic bottles to urinate, as management monitored idle time closely.
During the ongoing heatwave, Amazon warehouse workers are forced to rest in locker rooms due to lack of proper facilities. AIWA urges Amazon to provide decent resting areas and implement immediate heat protection measures. ✊🏽#AmazonWorkers #Heatwave #MakeAmazonPay pic.twitter.com/wzblSraujb
— Amazon India Workers Association (@AiwaInd) June 4, 2024
Despite Amazon's assertions of prioritizing employee safety, workers argue that the measures in place are inadequate. While the warehouse is equipped with fans and coolers, their effectiveness is limited. Working areas often reached temperatures between 30-35°C, exacerbating the already hazardous conditions.
Employees endure 10-hour shifts, spending most of their time on their feet, striving to meet demanding targets. Despite the intense heat, breaks are limited to two 30-minute intervals. The lack of seating further strains employees, who earn around Rs 10,000 per month.
Female workers face additional difficulties, with small, overheated break rooms prompting many to seek refuge in bathrooms during breaks. However, managers closely monitor break durations, pressuring workers to return to their duties promptly. Testimonies from employees, using aliases Ravish and Pooja, highlighted that both male and female workers labor under oppressive temperatures. Ravish noted, "The temperature of the warehouse is not maintained adequately. As a result, workers in the loading and unloading section are forced to work under unbearable temperatures."
Instances of colleagues fainting from the heat were recounted, with minimal assistance provided before urging them back to work. Workers in the loading and unloading sections faced particularly harsh conditions, with trailers becoming unbearably hot. On May 28, temperatures in various sections of the warehouse ranged from 31°C (87.7°F) in the dock area to 34.2°C (93.56°F) in the stow section.
🥵No water or bathroom breaks during a heatwave?
— UNI Global Union (@uniglobalunion) June 11, 2024
Amazon's practices in India are unacceptable!
Proud to support @AiwaInd in their fight to #MakeAmazonPay in India.https://t.co/86Jm0Bu19u
Amazon defended its practices, stating that sites are equipped with heat index monitors and measures to ensure a comfortable working environment. However, workers argue that their grievances have gone unaddressed, prompting them to unionize and advocate for better conditions.
The challenges faced by Amazon warehouse workers in India are part of a broader global movement for safer working conditions and fair wages. Contentious issues such as Amazon's strict leave policy and allegations of blocking IDs for taking time off without prior approval remain. As Amazon workers continue to voice their concerns, it is evident that more comprehensive measures are needed to ensure the well-being of employees in warehouses worldwide. Access to adequate breaks, hydration, and relief from extreme temperatures are fundamental rights that must be prioritized by companies like Amazon.
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