We can improve, says online boss whose staff lived in tents
IT was heavily criticised following allegations of worker exploitation and poor conditions last year.
But US online retailer Amazon has now opened up the doors of its distribution centre in Dunfermline, Fife, to the public.
Groups of locals were yesterday among the first to be given guided tours of the ‘fulfilment’ warehouse in which visitors can view the workings of the operation.
It comes only seven months after MPs were asked to investigate the centre following claims some seasonal staff were living in tents in freezing conditions in an attempt to save money on bus fares.
At least three tents were reportedly pitched in woodland near the M90, within walking distance of the centre.
The US giant’s UK operation also came under fire after it was claimed workers at the warehouse were threatened with the sack if they take time off sick.
But when asked if the company was giving tours to counter the negative allegations, senior operations manager Derek Reid said: ‘We are not opening up public tours because of any of that. We are opening up because there is a lot of interest – my own friends and neighbours constantly ask me when they can come along and if they are able to come and do a visit.’
The criticisms at the site came after a Sunday newspaper reporter went undercover with temporary workers.
She was paid £7.35 an hour by an agency supplying workers to Amazon, but was left with less than the minimum wage after paying £10 for the agency’s bus to the site 40 miles from her home in Glasgow.
When confronted about claims some seasonal workers living in tents Mr Reid said: ‘We can’t influence what individuals do but we make sure that this is the best environment they can work in.’
After last year’s claims, the Commons business, energy and industrial strategy select committee said it would investigate the warehouse’s working practices.
Yesterday, Mr Reid said: ‘There’s always room for improvement, we agree with that, but this is a really good environment to work in. We provide for 1,500 full-time people, many who have been here for over ten years.’
Amazon makes around £7billion of revenues in Britain.