India’s human rights commission has called on the government to investigate allegations of labor law violations at an Amazon warehouse near New Delhi, amid reports of harsh working conditions during a severe heatwave.
Recent reports from Indian media indicate that workers at the Manesar warehouse have complained about insufficient water and toilet breaks, citing pressure to meet packaging targets. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a statement describing these findings as a “serious issue of human rights” and urged the labor ministry to address the alleged violations within a week.
While the NHRC’s statement did not name Amazon explicitly, a spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the reference was to the Amazon facility near New Delhi.
Amazon has faced criticism for its working conditions in various countries, including strikes at UK warehouses and a $5.9 million penalty in the US over productivity quotas. The company has consistently denied imposing fixed quotas on warehouse workers.
In its response, Amazon emphasized that the safety and well-being of its employees is a top priority, stating, “We provide adequate provision of water and hydration, as well as regularly scheduled rest breaks in a cooler environment, and we ensure additional breaks when temperatures are high.”
The Amazon India Workers Association, led by Dharmendra Kumar, has called for corrective measures to ensure workers receive a decent living wage and adequate social protection. The Manesar facility employs approximately 1,000 workers and is one of many Amazon warehouses in India, a key market where the company has invested over $6.5 billion.
This development adds to Amazon’s ongoing challenges globally regarding its labor practices, highlighting the scrutiny multinational companies face over working conditions.
