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Last year, the tech giant was fined in France over data protection charges for monitoring the activities of its employees.
ADVERTISEMENTUnions from 11 EU countries have written to data protection authorities across the bloc asking them to investigate Amazon’s data surveillance practices, according to a letter seen by Euronews today (7 may).
Union leaders from European countries where Amazon warehouses employ significant numbers of workers – including Austria, Germany, Ireland and Spain – are questioning the use of surveillance and monitoring. algorithmic management by the online market. They claim the tech giant uses hand scanners, activity monitoring software, video cameras, GPS devices and other tracking technologies, impacting workers’ mental and physical health .
The unions are therefore asking national data protection authorities to follow France’s example. In December 2023, following an investigation, the National Commission for Information Technology and Liberties (CNIL) imposed a fine of 32 million euros to Amazon France Logistique. The company was found guilty of breaching EU data protection rules by creating an “excessively intrusive system” to monitor employee activity and performance, as well as penalties for improper reporting protocols. Inadequate video surveillance.
In 2021, the Luxembourg data protection authority also imposed a fine on Amazon. fine of 746 million euros for processing personal data in violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Facilities
Oliver Roethig, regional secretary of UNI Europa, told Euronews that worker management systems “undermine trust between workers and management, but also highlight a systemic disregard for our privacy laws “.
“It’s high time to stand up and demand that these multinationals respect workers’ personal data and their right to a dignified workplace. We must take strong action now to ensure our laws are fully enforced ” said Mr. Roethig.
This letter comes as the marketplace also finds itself in the crosshairs of European lawmakers. Last month, five social democratic politicians visited Amazon facilities in Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, after representatives of the e-commerce platform were barred from the European Parliament in following an appeal from the Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL), with the company failing to participate in a series of hearings and factory visits in 2021 and 2023.
During these visitsCarried out in collaboration with union representatives, legislators wanted to know more about employees’ working conditions.
Amazon had its 14 access badges removed from Parliament in February, and no new badges will be issued until further notice. Sarah Tapp, a spokesperson for Amazon, told Euronews that the company remains open to “constructive dialogue on the issues facing the logistics sector, and [qu’elle] committed to collaborating with the commission [EMPL]”.
In a blog post published last month – on the occasion of the opening of Amazon’s operational innovation laboratory in Italy – Sarah Rhoads, the company’s vice president for global occupational health and safety, highlighted the importance it places on investment, innovation and invention in the field of security.
“Employees are the heart and soul of our operations, which is why the technology we deploy at our sites is always focused on serving the team and securing our operations. Our continued investment in robotics helps to reduce employees’ physical workload and repetitive tasks that can cause injuries, while helping them learn new skills that can advance their careers,” Rhoads said.
Amazon has been contacted for a response.
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