Amazon workers are set to protest or strike across more than 20 countries this Black Friday, demanding better wages, working conditions, and greater climate responsibility from the e-commerce giant. The protests, spanning from November 29 to December 2, are coordinated by the Make Amazon Pay campaign, a global movement calling on the company to respect workers’ rights, pay fair taxes, and uphold environmental sustainability.
The protests are scheduled to take place in major cities worldwide, including the US, Germany, the UK, Turkey, Canada, India, Japan, and Brazil. The campaign is led by UNI Global Union, Progressive International, and over 80 other unions and advocacy groups. Workers aim to challenge Amazon’s business practices during one of the largest shopping periods of the year, when Amazon’s warehouses are working at full capacity.
In London, activists will gather outside Amazon’s UK headquarters on Black Friday, presenting a petition with over 110,000 signatures asking for an end to tax breaks for Amazon and other corporations. In Germany, thousands of workers from the Ver.di union will strike at various warehouses, including those in Dortmund, Leipzig, and Koblenz. Meanwhile, in France, ATTAC will hold protests across the country, highlighting the growing concerns about tax fairness and workers’ rights.
Amanda Gearing, senior organizer at GMB, the UK’s Amazon workers’ union, condemned Amazon’s business model, stating, “Insecure work, poverty wages, and unsafe working conditions: GMB will not let these define the future of work.” Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global Union, echoed the sentiment, criticizing Amazon for its pursuit of profit at the expense of workers and the environment. She said, “Bezos’s company has spent untold millions to stop workers from organizing, but the strikes and protests show that workers’ desire for justice can’t be stopped.”
In defense, an Amazon spokesperson stated, “We are always listening and looking for ways to improve, and we remain proud of the competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and safe work experience we provide our teams.” The company also touted its environmental efforts, claiming to be the largest global purchaser of renewable energy. Amazon said that last year, it matched all of its electricity use with renewable energy sources.
Despite Amazon’s statements, critics, including the Amazon Employees for Climate Justice group, argue that the company’s progress on climate goals is insufficient. The group claims Amazon lacks interim targets to reach its net-zero emissions goal by 2040, with its carbon emissions having grown by 34.5% since 2019.
As protests intensify, the battle for better treatment and accountability continues, marking a pivotal moment for Amazon’s workers and their supporters worldwide.
