Senators tap Amazon’s Bezos for responses on reported abuse of chauffeurs

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Lawmakers desire responses from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. 


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Three United States senators advised Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on Thursday to check out accusations that the business’s shipment specialists are skirting labor laws and running the risk of chauffeur security. In an open letter, the senators contacted Bezos to react by Sept. 27 with information of Amazon’s third-party contracting and training practices, and info on whether the business has actually participated in anti-union activity.

The letter points out, to name a few reports, an Aug. 31 Buzzfeed examination into the inner functions of Amazon’s shipment arm. That report recorded a list of possible labor offenses threatening chauffeurs. 

“While Amazon has continuously made claims that it treats workers fairly and has ‘requirements for safety’ in place, fines levied by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration paint a notably different picture,” the senators composed in their letter. “Additionally, growing media reports, regarding Amazon’s mistreatment of workers and failure to address lawmakers and agency concerns, are deeply troubling.”

The letter was signed by Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sherrod Brown of Ohio. 

In an e-mail to CNET an Amazon representative safeguarded the business’s labor law compliance record.

“We have strict requirements for safety and labor wages and working conditions that meet or exceed the law. We also require comprehensive insurance, competitive wages, working hours and numerous other safeguards for our delivery service providers and regularly audit to ensure compliance,” the business stated.

Protesting storage facility employees have actually consistently implicated Amazon of unjust working conditions. Allegations have likewise just recently emerged from storage facility employees who state they were required to select in between their tasks and their military service. 

The senators’ letter follows quick on the heels of a reported antitrust probe by the Federal Trade Commission, and an Aug. 29 letter from 3 other senators, who got in touch with Bezos to perform a “sweeping internal investigation” into risky and prohibited items noted on Amazon’s site.