// Amazon to face Black Friday strikes in 40 countries as workers demand fair pay
// The retailer said it is working towards improving in areas like climate change
Amazon workers in 40 countries are set to protest against the tech giant‘s alleged unfair pay and unsafe practices.
With Black Friday being one of Amazon’s busiest days of the year, it is now facing the challenge of workers planning the “Make Amazon Pay” movement.
The movement, which includes 80 organisations, is calling for fair pay for Amazon workers and the right for workers to join unions. It is also demanding that Amazon pays its fair share of taxes and commit to environmental sustainability.
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Amazon workers in the UK, US, France, Germany, India, Ireland, and South Africa are organising some form of protest, from strikes and walkouts to demonstrations outside Amazon offices.
The retailer responded by saying that it is working towards improving in areas like climate change and employee health and safety.
Amazon said: “We are inventing and investing significantly in all these areas, playing a significant role in addressing climate change with the Climate pledge commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040, continuing to offer competitive wages and great benefits, and inventing new ways to keep our employees safe and healthy in our operations network, to name just a few.”
Meanwhile, industry experts are expecting this year’s Black Friday to be lacklustre.
Black Friday Weekend spending in the UK is set to hit £8.71bn this year, as consumers hit up discounts ahead of Christmas amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The VoucherCodes.co.uk Shopping for Christmas 2022: Black Friday Weekend report forecasts a 0.8% year-on-year increase in retail spend over Black Friday Weekend to £8.71 billion.
Although this is a slight increase, whilst taking account of inflation, which is running at over 10%, far less volume of goods will be bought.
