Technology

U.S. senators demand that Amazon answer questions about the safety of warehouse workers

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Some Amazon Prime deliveries have been delayed and the corona virus is running low

A group of four U.S. senators, including Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, sent a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos asking him to respond to questions about how the company is protecting its warehouse workers from the continued spread of the new coronavirus. The senators sent the letter two days after the first US-based Amazon warehouse worker tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

The group of senators is led by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and includes Sanders and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). “Any failure by Amazon to protect its employees not only endangers their employees, but also endangers the entire country,” the group said in the letter. The senators are also asking Amazon to pay paid sick leave and an hour and a half of risk, among other financial and health benefits.

“The virus that causes COVID-19 can live up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel,” the letter said. “That means that Americans who take all precautions, stay at home, and take social distance are at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 because of Amazon’s decision to prioritize efficiency and profit over the safety and well-being of its employees.”

The letter also discussed reports of worrying conditions in Amazon warehouses, such as how Amazon warehouse managers have held stand-up meetings with staff on a regular basis, likely to bring workers closer than the six meters apart recommended by the CDC, and a lack of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Amazon warehouse workers and delivery guys who spoke recently The edge comparable conditions.

The senators ask Bezos to answer the following questions by March 26:

  • What preventive measures does Amazon take to ensure that its employees do not contract COVID-19?
  • Will Amazon agree to cover testing costs for COVID-19 for its employees?
  • Will Amazon suspend tariff-based suspensions until the threat of COVID-19 has subsided?
  • Will Amazon provide paid sick leave to its employees regardless of the diagnosis?
  • Will Amazon provide its employees with an hour and a half of risk during this increased risk period?
  • Will Amazon promise to temporarily close a facility in which an employee tests positive for coronavirus and offers two weeks of paid sick leave to employees at that facility while isolating themselves?

“These allegations are simply unfounded,” Amazon said in a statement The edge. “Our employees are heroes fighting for their communities and helping people get crucial items they need in this crisis. Like all companies struggling with the persistent coronavirus pandemic, it’s not easy because stocks are limited, but we are working hard to protect workers while serving communities and the most vulnerable. We have taken extreme measures to keep people safe, tripling through thorough cleaning, obtaining available safety equipment and changing processes to ensure that those in our buildings keep safe distances. ”

To help support employees, Amazon said it has increased cleaning at its work locations, ended stand-up meetings during shifts, and spread start and pause times. The company said on March 11 that it would provide up to two weeks of paid sick leave for all workers diagnosed with COVID-19. The company will also raise the minimum wage by $ 2 an hour through April, the company announced earlier this week.