Amazon employees globally, including those in India, have initiated protests from Black Friday to Cyber Monday to demand accountability for labour and environmental issues. The ‘Make Amazon Pay’ movement is supported by international unions aiming to challenge Amazon’s business practices.
In Short
- Amazon workers across 20+ countries, including India, are protesting
- Make Amazon Pay” protests spotlight labour abuses, environmental harm, and anti-union practices
- Strikes gain global traction as unions push for fair treatment, sustainable practices, and tax accountability
Amazon workers in India and around the world have launched strikes and protests during the busiest shopping weekend of the year—Black Friday to Cyber Monday. The movement, called “Make Amazon Pay,” is backed by UNI Global Union and Progressive International. Its goal is to hold Amazon accountable for alleged labour abuses, environmental harm, and disregard for democratic principles.
From November 29 to December 2, workers across six continents and more than 20 countries participated in the protests. In India, Amazon employees in New Delhi rallied to highlight poor working conditions, especially during the intense heatwave last July. Strikes have also been reported in Germany, France, Brazil, Japan, and other countries, with demonstrators demanding fair treatment and improved workplace standards.
Germany is witnessing significant participation, with strikes in warehouses across cities like Graben, Dortmund, and Leipzig. In France, the activist group ATTAC is leading protests, while garment workers in Bangladesh are taking to the streets to emphasise the impact of Amazon’s business practices on their livelihoods.
This global action marks the fifth year of “Make Amazon Pay” protests. The campaign has grown into a worldwide movement addressing what organisers describe as Amazon’s “relentless pursuit of profit” at the expense of workers and the environment. Past protests have included walkouts in the U.S., strikes across Europe, and symbolic actions like projecting the “Make Amazon Pay” logo onto Amazon offices and Jeff Bezos’ mansion.
Union leaders and activists have accused Amazon of union-busting, unfair labour practices, and exploiting workers. The Amazon India Workers Association is pushing for better protection against extreme conditions in India. In Germany, unions have spent years urging Amazon to comply with collective bargaining standards.
“Amazon is everywhere, but so are we,” said Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla of Progressive International. The campaign aims to unite movements across borders to challenge Amazon’s practices and advocate for fair wages, environmental sustainability, and more robust protection of workers’ rights.
The strikes come as Amazon’s scrutiny increases globally. Reports suggest the company underreported lobbying expenses in Europe and has faced legal challenges in the U.S. for undermining labour rights. Governments like the U.S. and UK are responding with legislation addressing warehouse conditions and simplifying union recognition processes.
The “Make Amazon Pay” protests are a call for accountability, seeking a future where workers’ dignity is prioritized over corporate profits; the blog mentions
