‘No washroom or water breaks’ : Amazon India workers complain of harsh conditions at warehouse
New Delhi : Amazon India is facing scrutiny following allegations of severe working conditions and rigorous productivity demands from employees at its warehouses in Manesar, Haryana's industrial hub.
Recently, a 24-year-old worker spoke out to the media outlet, revealing disturbing details of the challenges faced by warehouse workers.
According to the worker, who earns a monthly salary of Rs 10,088 for ten-hour shifts over five days a week, employees are subjected to intense pressure to achieve specific targets without adequate rest breaks.
This pressure reportedly includes demands to unload packages from large trucks under extreme temperatures, which can soar up to 50°C during the ongoing heatwave.
The worker disclosed that employees were coerced into pledging not to take breaks, including for water or toilet visits, until they met their targets. This directive, as per the worker, is part of a strategy to maximise productivity at the expense of workers' well-being.
Despite continuous efforts, the worker claimed that even working without breaks, they struggled to unload more than four trucks per day, highlighting the impracticality of the imposed targets.
Amazon India has not yet responded to these specific allegations. However, the incident has ignited a broader conversation about labour practices in the e-commerce sector, urging authorities and stakeholders to address concerns regarding worker rights and workplace conditions.
Female workers at Amazon's warehouses in Manesar, Haryana, encounter distinct challenges exacerbated by cramped, overheated break rooms that drive many to seek refuge in bathrooms during breaks. However, stringent monitoring of break durations by managers compels workers to swiftly return to their duties.
In addition to these challenges, the All India Workers' Association (AIWA) highlighted testimonies from two employees, known by the pseudonyms Ravish and Pooja, who asserted that both male and female workers endure oppressive working conditions, especially concerning temperature extremes. Ravish specifically pointed out that employees in the loading and unloading sections are forced to work under unbearable heat, with temperatures reaching as high as 34.2 degrees Celsius (93.56°F) in certain areas of the warehouse.
The lack of adequate temperature control within the warehouse poses significant health risks. Instances of workers fainting due to the heat have been reported, yet they often receive minimal assistance before being encouraged to resume their duties promptly.
- With inputs from agencies
