Several protests have been taking place against Amazon amid claims of the environmental impact the company has and the alleged poor treatment of staff.
Activists from the climate group Amis de la terre (Friends of the Earth), took their protest to the Bretigny-sur-Orge facility in the south of Paris, to argue the negative effect of this on the climate.
Police removed the protestors during the course of the day, but more protests are expected to take place as part of what they’re calling ‘Block Friday’.
Activists have blocked an Amazon distribution centre outside of Paris to protest its labour rights record and contribution to climate change #BlockFriday pic.twitter.com/iBwkSHScCT
— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) November 28, 2019
Said to have delivered over five billion packages worldwide through Prime in 2017, Amazon is often criticised for the impact those deliveries have on the climate. There are open forums on the Amazon website to leave ‘Packaging Feedback’, but is often questioned on the seriousness behind the gesture.
The demonstrators in France blocked the entrance to the warehouse by holding hands and forming a barrier. They placed hay and lay on the roads outside the warehouse in efforts to slow down the lorries arriving. Their banners read “Amazon: For the climate, for jobs, stop expansion, stop over-production!”
Instagram/@gmbwestmidlands
In Germany, Amazon workers left their positions during the middle of the night in Leipzig, Bad Hersfeld, Koblenz, Rheinberg, Werne and Graben. Workers claim that they are treated in a poor manner and demand a higher pay.
Amazon has previously denied that its staff were badly treated, saying that it was “a fair and responsible employer”.
Despite the chaos, Amazon has said that deliveries would not be delayed because “the majority of workers are taking care of customers’ orders as normal”.
Voice of London has contacted Amazon for comment on this issue, but have not heard from them yet.
Tweet us (@VoiceOfLondonUK) or comment down below your thoughts.
Words: Rusdeep Heera
Subbed by: Hannah Wilson
Featured Image: Markus Spiske on Unsplash