Damning figures revealed as GMB Union makes formal pay claim of £17 per hour to the company.
More than half of GMB members at Amazon are forced to borrow money to cover basic needs, a shock report reveals today.
The study forms part of GMB’s formal pay claim to the company, calling on Amazon to deliver a £17 minimum wage for UK staff.
The survey of hundreds of GMB members at Amazon found low pay was causing:
- 15 per cent of respondants having to use foodbanks.
- 53 per cent having to borrow money to keep up with the cost-of-living.
- 78 per cent struggling to keep up with day-to-day expenses.
The news comes as Amazon workers across Europe will stage a day of action to mark the company’s Black Friday, this Friday 29 November.
Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser, said:
“These findings should be a wakeup call for decision makers.
“Despite all the attempts to paint Amazon as force for good, the company’s reputation is on the floor over its treatment of workers.
“It’s a scandal that 15 per cent of Amazon workers, that would be around 12,000 people, are reporting being forced to use foodbanks to make ends meet.
“Amazon are one of the world’s wealthiest corporations, it’s not right that their UK staff are being forced to endure this. That’s why we’ve launched our call for £17 an hour at Amazon this Black Friday”.
