Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 130
Alfred Sant (S&D)
Subject: Labour Rights for Amazon employees in Europe
Roughly 2,400 Amazon employees went on strike across Europe last Friday, 23rd November. Workers in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom walked out their work place demanding more sustainable working conditions. To take on specific case as an example, GMB, the union for UK Amazon workers, conducted an investigation and found that ambulances were called to 14 Amazon warehouses 600 times in the prior three years. According to workers, their safety and well-being are being sold for higher profit margins for Amazon.
Article 31 of The Charter of Fundamental Rights of Europe guarantees the right to working conditions that respect the health, safety, and dignity of workers. Further, Article 6 (2) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC outlines the responsibilities of the employer to ensure safe working condition, such as avoiding risk.
Taking into consideration that the situation vis-à-vis Amazon is Europe wide,
– Does the Commission have any plans to investigate the abovementioned claims made by Amazon workers in Europe?
– If the claims of mistreatment are proven accurate, what EU-level actions does the Commission plan to take to safeguard the working conditions of those employed by corporations such as Amazon?
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