Amazon hell
Hundreds need urgent medical help, union says
AMAZON warehouses have been hit by more than 600 serious injuries or near misses in the past three years.
One employee at a London warehouse was left unconscious after a head injury and stopped breathing.
The GMB Union, who uncovered the injury figures, say the situation is getting worse.
They are now calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into working conditions at the online retail giant’s UK centres.
By the end of 2018, Amazon’s UK workforce was more than 27,500.
Between 2016/17 and 2018/19, 622 reports have been made from Amazon warehouses to the Health and Safety
Executive. These are injuries which are severe enough to prevent someone from doing their normal work for at least seven days, or from a list that includes fractures, amputation, and burning.
The cases include one Manchester employee who suffered head injuries after a number of boxes fell on them and was later diagnosed with an inter vertebral disc prolapse.
Mick Rix, GMB National Officer, said: “Conditions are hellish.
Enough is enough – it’s now time for a full parliamentary inquiry.”
The figures, some of which were broadcast on BBC One’s Panorama last night, are the result of Freedom of Information Act requests by GMB.
Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, said: “Amazon purports to be a 21st century company. It behaves like a 19th century millowner.”
Staff for the online retail giant outside of London, are paid £9.50 an hour. It means it would take them 203 hours to match the £1,925 Amazon owner Jeff Bezos, 55, reportedly pockets every second.
An Amazon spokesman said: “Amazon is a safe place to work.
“Data published by the HSE confirms we have 40% fewer injuries on average than other warehousing businesses in the UK.”
Amazon behaves like a 19th century millowner
JACK DROMEY MP FOR BIRMINGHAM ERDINGTON