Amazon response re safe and healthy working conditions during extreme heat
BHRRC invited Amazon to respond to the allegations, including providing information on:
- The report of hot working conditions at its Manesar warehouse;
- Steps it has taken to investigate and provide remedy to workers for the inhumane working conditions in Manesar;
- India operations and supply chains:
- The specific protocols in place to manage heat stress at facilities in India ; including how these protocols are operationalized in at-risk contexts;
- Any preventative measures implemented to prevent such incidents recurring;
Response from Amazon:
...
Our facilities are industry-leading. They provide comfortable working conditions and specially designed infrastructure to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all, including air-conditioned spaces (i.e., cafeterias) with ample seating where employees and associates can take breaks; and large buildings have dedicated facilities for first aid care. All our buildings, including those in India, are equipped with heat index monitoring devices to monitor changes in temperature and humidity, especially during summer, and provide a comfortable work environment. If we find increasing heat or humidity inside our buildings, we take action to provide comfortable working conditions, including temporarily suspending work. Cooling measures such as air conditioning, ventilation systems, fans, and spot coolers are in place, and we provide cold water, hydrating drinks, and regular breaks in cool areas, and additional breaks when temperatures are high...
We hire a mix of full-time employees and contractual associates at our fulfillment centers. All associates working in Amazon buildings directly or through staffing agencies are covered for medical and accident insurance in India under the ESIC (Employee State Insurance Program), with additional leave for emergencies...
Amazon regularly introduces enhancements to upgrade its facilities. In view of enhanced heat stress risk due to climate change, we are always working to develop potential enhancements to better identify and mitigate the highest heat stress risks in our value chain and, as a matter of practice, will continue to do so in this case as well. We are constantly learning and making improvements to our policies, programs, and educational resources to help ensure our employees and workers everywhere we operate are treated with respect, know their rights, and can safely speak up if they encounter risks at work.