Amazon workers in India staged protests on Black Friday, demanding better wages and working conditions, as the company experiences one of its busiest shopping seasons.

About 200 warehouse workers and delivery drivers gathered in New Delhi under the slogan “Make Amazon Pay,” with some participants wearing masks of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in a symbolic protest against the company’s practices.

The strike was part of a broader global movement, with similar strikes at Amazon facilities in the US, Germany, Japan and Brazil.

Workers are calling for higher wages, better workplace conditions and the right to join a union without reprisal.

What are Amazon employees in India demanding?

The Indian protests centered around Amazon’s wage structure, with workers highlighting the stark contrast between their earnings and the cost of living.

“Our basic salary is 10,000 rupees ($120), which should be at least 25,000 rupees ($295),” said Manish Kumar, 25, a warehouse worker who attended the rally in New Delhi.

Nitesh Das, leader of the Amazon India Workers Union, emphasized that the protests were not just against the company but were also aimed at pushing the Indian government to take action on workers’ rights. “We want the government to take up our cause,” Das said.

The union, which organized the protests, stated that similar actions would continue across India, along with other international locations.

What are the top demands of Amazon employees?

The union has outlined a number of key demands, including fair wages, better working conditions, the right to form more unions and stronger environmental commitments from the company.

A memorandum highlighting these demands will be submitted to India’s Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

The strike comes amid growing concerns about the treatment of gig economy workers in India, where rapid economic growth has been accompanied by poor labor standards in many sectors.

While Amazon has created countless jobs, especially in e-commerce and delivery, critics say these positions often come with low wages, long hours and minimal benefits.

In June 2023, India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sent a notice to Amazon after reports emerged claiming that workers were being forced to work without a break during the peak summer season.

How has Amazon responded to the Black Friday protests?

Amazon, in a statement issued in India, accused the workers of “intentionally misleading and continuing to promote a false narrative.”

“Our facilities are industry leaders and offer competitive wages, comfortable working conditions and specially designed infrastructure to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for everyone,” the company said.

Newsweek contacted Amazon via email on Friday for further comment.

The company has faced increasing pressure from unions around the world over its treatment of workers, especially in the run-up to major sales events including Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday, when warehouse and delivery workers face increased workloads.

The strikes in India and other countries highlight growing dissatisfaction among workers who say their pay and working conditions have not kept pace with Amazon’s rapid expansion and profitability.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press