Amazon is facing legal trouble in India as it is being taken to court for labour law violations at a warehouse near Delhi. Reports emerged of workers being asked to take pledges not to take breaks until targets were met. An internal investigation confirmed this incident, leading to disciplinary action against a manager. The Haryana government also conducted inspections at the warehouse, finding violations such as inadequate safety gear and lack of identity cards for workers.
Workers at the warehouse described stringent targets, lack of breaks, and intense monitoring through the ADAPT system, which can lead to blacklisting if not met. Employee rights organizations have raised concerns about working conditions at Amazon’s facilities in India, with a survey showing that most warehouse workers find the targets difficult to achieve.
Amazon defended its practices, stating that targets are achievable and that the company supports employees with coaching to improve performance. While Amazon has faced similar controversies in other countries, such as the UK and France, workers in India are calling for the abolition of the ADAPT system to feel less monitored at work.
The case against Amazon is ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for December 10. The company employs over 100,000 people in India, where its fulfilment centres play a crucial role in processing and delivering online orders. Workers like Supriya and Tirvan are hoping for changes to ensure they are treated with dignity and fairness in the workplace.
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