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| Amazon shareholders demand independent scrutiny |
A group of Amazon shareholders has proposed a resolution that would require the board of directors to conduct an independent health and safety review.
The decision requires the use of information from Amazon employees and occupational safety and control experts to conduct audits.
The shareholder resolution stated, “While Amazon strives to be the safest place to operate on the planet, the practices that have made it a leader in occupational accidents, as well as its reviews and regulatory objectives, need to be reconsidered.”
"Because monitoring and throughput rates are associated with higher infection rates, we urge Amazon to conduct independent audits of these practices," the decision added.
If the company does not appeal the decision, shareholders will vote at the company's annual general meeting in May.
Mary Beth Gallagher, deputy director of Dominy Impact Investments, provided the decision. She said the company needed to evaluate its business model and high infection rate.
Gallagher noted that many safety and workplace concerns have been raised during the pandemic. He also noted that on December 10, a tornado hit the Amazon warehouse in Illinois, killing 6 people.
"All of the incidents caused serious problems and have been closely investigated by lawmakers, regulators and the public," Gallagher said in a statement. Domini Impact Investments hopes the review will confirm that the measurement and control of employee productivity is incorrect. Effects of a safe and stable working environment.
Auditing Amazon Productivity Rates and Monitoring Practices
Courtenay Brown, an Amazon Fresh Food Warehouse in New Jersey and leader of Work Unity and Respect, testified before Congress on December 7 about working conditions at her factory.
He says he sorts out up to 50,000 groceries for delivery each day. It enters and exits at temperatures as low as -23°C. Additionally, there are few recreational opportunities due to the lack of staff at the camp. She added that the workers were monitored as soon as they entered the position.
"If we fail in any way during the 11-hour shift, we risk punishment," Brown told the Senate Tax Responsibility and Economic Growth Subcommittee. We were pushed to the limit so that we couldn't even go to the bathroom regularly to rest. We often have to get in and out of the bathroom within a couple of minutes so we don't have a problem.
Shareholders hope that the review can assess the company's productivity risks, control measures, and the impact of these measures on infection rates.
Gallagher said his company hopes the comprehensive assessment will change company policies, make the workplace safer, and cement Amazon's position as a leader in the health and safety industry.