Over 400 Lawmakers from 34 Countries Support the 'Make Amazon Pay' Campaign
Over 400 different lawmakers across 34 countries are in support of a new initiative called the Make Amazon Pay campaign. This campaign has released a list of "common demands for Amazon," in which signatories have outlined the negative impact Amazon has had on workers, communities, and the world as a whole.
Some of the signatories on the Make Amazon Pay campaign include U.S. Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala have also added their names.
What Is the Make Amazon Pay Campaign?
The Make Amazon Pay campaign highlights the fact that Amazon and its billionaire CEO Jeff Bezos have taken away more than they have put back into the world. The campaign emphasizes the fact that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company quickly grew to a trillion-dollar corporation because of the lack of competition that existed as brick-and-mortar stores shut down due to government restrictions. Because of accelerated success, Jeff Bezos quickly gained a record-breaking fortune, becoming the first person in history to amass $200 billion in personal wealth.
As the company dominated throughout the pandemic while many mom and pop shops closed down, the Make Amazon Pay campaign highlights that the workers who took the company to the top are not being adequately recognized. The campaign claims workers faced hazardous working conditions while receiving a minuscule pay increase. The campaign highlights that Amazon's success would not be where it is today had it not been for its workers who helped build the company.
In addition to the extreme collection of wealth the company saw during the pandemic, the campaign alleges that Amazon has not paid its fair share in taxes. Make Amazon Pay points to 2019 when the company dished out only 1.2% in taxes to the U.S. government where the company is headquartered.
Signatories of the campaign highlight that the practices of the company, including heavy investment, keeping profit margins low by paying workers low, and leaving behind a heavy carbon footprint, are all elements that take away from the greater good all while allowing a single company and a single man to thrive. Overall, the campaign's theme is that "Amazon takes too much and gives back to little, it is time to make Amazon pay."
In the letter, signatories express, “We urge you to act decisively to change your policies and priorities to do right by your workers, their communities, and our planet.”
Proposed "Common Demands" for Amazon
The campaign has released a list of common demands that they would like Amazon to address. Some of the demands read as follows:
1. Improve the Workplace
Amazon urges Bezos to improve the workplace by raising workers' pay, negotiating adequate break times, getting rid of demanding productivity rates that require workers to work faster and more efficiently, and extending sick pay.
2. Provide Job Security
Signatories are pushing for an end to all forms of “casual employment.” This includes contractor and self-employment statuses. The demands on job security also call for a more decent and transparent procedure in which employees can voice their concerns without consequence.
3. Respect Workers' Universal Rights
This demand urges Amazon to respect workers' rights to organize freely and form unions to promote what's best for employees. Make Amazon Pay also calls for the company to share power with its workers by "moving towards a model of democratic governance.”
4. Operate Sustainably
Signatories highlight that Amazon needs to consider its carbon footprint by committing to zero emissions by the year 2030 and by ending complicity in environmental racism. Signatories also urge the company to stop sponsoring any entities that deny climate change.
5. Pay Back to Society
Lastly, the Make Amazon Pay campaign is hyper-focused on Amazon giving back to society by paying its share of taxes in full and not taking advantage of tax laws. Amazon is known for shifting its profits back into the company so that it can pay the least amount in taxes. The initiative calls for an end to this and demands that Amazon be fully transparent when it comes to its tax practices.
Additionally, the demands express that the campaign would like an end to the sale of devices and software that allow for mass surveillance. This includes products like the Amazon Ring and other facial recognition software that makes it easier for consumers' privacy to be invaded.
In response to the demands being made and the Make Amazon Pay campaign as a whole, the company has responded with the following statement:
“Amazon has a strong track record of supporting our employees, our customers, and our communities, including providing safe working conditions, competitive wages and great benefits.” Amazon went on to add that it was “paying billions of dollars in taxes globally," and that it will continue to do its part as it pledged to be net carbon neutral by 2040.
To see a full and detailed list of the Make Amazon Pay demands, you can download the Amazon common demands page from the Make Amazon Pay website. Consumers can also add their signatures in support of the initiative.
