Amazon India Warehouse Staff Forced To Forgo Breaks

Amazon India has admitted to safety lapses in its warehouses after workers were told to pledge they would not take any breaks, including to drink water or go to the bathroom, until they met their targets.

- SHAHANA YASMIN

Earlier this month, The Independent reported an incident at Amazon India’s Manesar warehouse in the northern state of Haryana, in which staff members were asked to participate in the pledge, according to an eyewitness.

A woman worker, who requested anonymity, described what happened on 16 May to The Independent. “That day, we struggled to meet the target that was set, which was higher than usual; perhaps a sale was on, so products had to be moved to a different godown [warehouse] the same day.

“Around 4.30pm, one manager urged us to work harder, and then another manager instructed us to hold our arms out and pledge, ‘We will not take any breaks, we will not stop to drink water or go to the bathroom until we meet our targets’.”