Big day sale means greater health and safety risks, say employees
With Prime Day on July 16, the biggest sale day on Amazon, fast approaching, workers in Quebec are expressing concerns about the health and safety risks.
A report from Global News quoted employees of an Amazon warehouse in Montreal, who said that this kind of sales day takes a toll on their health.
Since Prime Day means huge amounts of orders to process – which workers must quickly process – could lead to accidents, which happened to Ibrahim Al Sahary, a former Amazon warehouse employee, who had to have four stitches on his leg after falling while working.
“We have to be fast like a robot,” Al Sahary told Global News, also alleging that the company “overworked” him.
However, a spokesperson for Amazon said they are committed to safety.
“While we do experience higher order volumes during busy shopping periods, our commitment to safety doesn’t change. Safety is our top priority every single day, and we’re constantly working to ensure employees have safe, comfortable, and inclusive workplaces,” said Barbara Agrait, in the Global News report.
Are Amazon workers discouraged from accessing workers’ comp?
Labour rights groups have been pressing Amazon to take accountability for their employees’ health and welfare, and called on the Quebec government to amend existing labour laws, specifically, the expansion of the definition of harassment.
“In the last two, three years, Amazon workers are overrepresented in the people who call us to ask for help,” said Félis Lapin, a Union of Injured Workers (UTTAM) member, as quoted in the Global News report.
The trade unionist also said Amazon discourages workers from filing injury claims with Quebec’s workplace safety board, which allows the injured worker to receive compensation and have time off to recover.
Instead, according to Lapin, the injured workers are offered Amazon’s in-house care, called AmCare.
“At AmCare, they won’t encourage you to fill a claim to CNESST to declare the work accident, they will give you painkillers, they will offer you adjustments, they will offer you light temporary assignments, but outside of the system,” he alleged in the Global News report.
Labour minister addresses Amazon concerns
But in a statement to Global, Amazon denied allegations that they discourage employees from reporting injuries or seeking treatment.
Quebec’s labour minister Jean Boulet stated that the company is obligated to comply with the existing labour laws and regulations, and cannot prevent workers from accessing CNESST services.
“I invite injured Amazon workers to file a complaint with the CNESST. They can be assured that their complaint will be treated confidentially throughout the treatment process so as not to expose them to reprisals or disciplinary measures,” he said in the Global News report.
