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Amazon’s warehouse working circumstances, which have come below elevated scrutiny in recent times, at the moment are on the coronary heart of a congressional probe being led by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
In a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Sanders, who chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, mentioned the e-retailer’s “quest for profits at all costs” has induced warehouse workers to expertise unsafe working environments with out entry to satisfactory medical consideration.
“Amazon is well aware of these dangerous conditions, the life-altering consequences for workers injured on the job, and the steps the company could take to reduce the significant risks of injury,” wrote Sanders, an unbiased who caucuses with the Democratic social gathering. “Yet the company has made a calculated decision not to implement adequate worker protections because Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, and you, his successor as Chief Executive Officer, have created a corporate culture that treats workers as disposable.”
Steve Kelly, an Amazon spokesperson, instructed CNBC in an announcement that the corporate strongly disagrees with Sanders’ claims within the letter. Separately, the corporate mentioned Sanders has been invited to tour one in every of Amazon’s warehouses.
Sanders known as on Jassy to show over extra info associated to Amazon’s damage and turnover charges, in addition to knowledge on its on-site medical clinic, known as AMCARE, courting again to 2019. He additionally requested Jassy to say whether or not Amazon has, internally or by a 3rd social gathering, examined “the connection between the pace of work of its warehouse workers and the prevalence or cost of injuries at its warehouses.”
Sanders mentioned Jassy has till July 5 to reply to the inquiry. The HELP committee posted a type on its web site in search of testimonials from present and former Amazon workers about their experiences on the firm.
Amazon faces ongoing federal probes into its security document past the Senate’s actions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are investigating circumstances at a number of warehouses, whereas the U.S. Department of Justice can also be analyzing whether or not Amazon underreports accidents.
Amazon says it has made progress on lowering accidents throughout its U.S. operations and continues to put money into security initiatives, tasks and applications. It has additionally appealed a string of citations issued by OSHA in latest months round security hazards and violations.
Under Sanders’ management, the HELP committee has taken goal at different firms’ office information. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz testified in entrance of the committee in March after Sanders repeatedly criticized the espresso chain’s dealing with of staff’ unionization efforts. Sanders has additionally been a frequent critic of Amazon’s labor practices, internet hosting a Senate Budget Committee listening to in May of final 12 months and alluring Bezos to debate the corporate’s method to unions.
WATCH: Why OSHA is investigating Amazon for ‘failing to maintain staff protected’
Source: www.cnbc.com