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No water, bathroom breaks for Amazon workers during 50°C AIWA heatwave

Posted on by darion

During India’s record heatwave, workers at Amazon’s Manesar warehouse in Haryana reported they were forced to forgo water and bathroom breaks to meet high targets. Temperatures exceeded 50°C, creating dangerous conditions largely ignored by management. AIWA chairman Dharmendra Kumar noted that complaints to Amazon and the labor ministry have gone unanswered and workers continue to suffer from high temperatures. The issue is part of a global fight in which Amazon workers are participating in the “Make Amazon Pay” movement for better working conditions and wages. Below is a link to AIWA’s letter to the Ministry of Labor and Employment.

Workers described extreme measures taken to meet demands, including a pledge enforced on May 16 that they would not take breaks until goals were met. Despite Amazon’s statement emphasizing worker safety and the use of heat-sensing devices, workers said cooling measures were inadequate and the work environment remained unbearably hot.

During 10-hour shifts, with only two 30-minute breaks, workers were exposed to extreme heat, with temperatures at work sites reaching 30-35°C. Conditions were so severe that some workers fainted and were given paracetamol before being sent back to work after a short rest, highlighting the physical effects of the heatwave.

The lack of adequate facilities forced female workers to rest in bathrooms, where managers frequently checked on them to make sure they returned to work quickly. Male workers told of similar struggles, including quickly unloading burning trailers.

In response, Amazon highlighted measures such as work suspensions in high-temperature areas, temperature-controlled buildings, adequate ventilation, water supplies and medical assistance. However, the Amazon Workers’ Association of India (AIWA) criticized these conditions, prompting workers to unionize and demand better treatment.

Previous reports from 2019 also revealed similar problems at Amazon warehouses in the UK, where workers were forced to urinate into bottles due to strict break policies. Amazon has consistently denied these claims, maintaining that they offer industry-leading pay, benefits and a safe work environment.