Reporter for the RTL broadcast “Team Wallraff” pillory the logistics giant Amazon: They report a system of exploitation, surveillance and fear.
Amazon is the most successful online retailer in the world, but the group is also repeatedly criticized. Now reporters of the RTL investigative program raise “Team Wallraff” serious allegations. Accordingly, there are many violations of labor law, wage dumping and the systematic destruction of new goods in Amazon’s German logistics network. “We researched for months and what we found was a system of exploitation and surveillance and fear”reports one “Team Wallraff”-Employee the stern.
The reporters spoke to warehouse workers, truck drivers and parcel carriers – and so-called “Destroy”who are responsible for the destruction of goods. “Two problems arise again and again in all areas of the group: surveillance and high workload”, summarizes reporter Alexander Römer the research.
A swamp of sub-contractors
In the course of the research, Römer himself was on the road as a parcel driver on behalf of Amazon. He found out that Amazon relies on a network of sub-companies for its own delivery fleet, some of which operate with questionable methods. Laws that protect employees are by no means always observed there, says Römer.
The reporter reports of scrap vans and unpaid overtime, non-observable break times and a lack of opportunities to go to the toilet. Many drivers feel compelled to pee in a bottle. In addition, there is general time and performance pressure, which is increased by the fact that the scanner, which is always carried with him, tracks everything the parcel deliverer does – including the acceleration and braking behavior of the parcel driver. The conclusion of the Team Wallraff reporter: “Occupational safety regulations are either deliberately circumvented or at least not being looked at very closely.”
Amazon responded to the allegations by “Team Wallraff” with an opinion that also includes the stern is present. It states that the majority of the companies that work for Amazon are reliable partners. But it is “Unfortunately, a fact that there are companies in the delivery industry that do not comply and it can be difficult for one company to directly disclose all of them”. Should overtime occur, this would have to be remunerated. The use of an app to monitor driving behavior serves to ensure safety in road traffic. Regarding the toilet problem, Amazon explains that the app always offers a list of nearby locations that have a toilet. “However, it is a reality for any delivery company that some drivers have difficulty finding a suitable place to take a break.”
Social and wage dumping among truck drivers
Also reported with truck drivers who are on the road for Amazon “Team Wallraff” of intolerable conditions, of social and wage dumping. Eastern European truck drivers in particular drive for subcontractors who do not pay a minimum wage. In addition, the drivers are often on the road for months, living and sleeping in the truck, although they are actually entitled to a home leave after four weeks.
Amazon explains that they work with a large number of freight companies from different origins, including more than 600 German freight forwarders. “We require all companies on this network to adhere to our policies and all applicable laws and regulations, and we are working on verifying compliance. There can always be some companies or individuals who don’t follow the rules and we may not always discover them immediately.”
Goods from Germany destroyed in Poland
The subject of returns destruction has “Team Wallraff” also researched. In this context, research by Greenpeace in Winsen, Lower Saxony, caused a stir some time ago. The environmentalists revealed at the end of 2019 that even goods that were as good as new were destroyed in the factory there in order to save storage and return costs. Amazon had stated that very few products would be scrapped.
The RTL reporters have now spoken to several informants who report that Amazon goods from Germany are being destroyed on a large scale in Poland. An Amazon employee who worked in a warehouse near Katowice as “Destroyer” works, the reporters have also met. She says that she also destroys new goods from Germany. Amazon says: “Our priority is reselling, donating, or recycling these items – in that order. We will only send products for energy recovery as a last resort.”
“Team Wallraff” on the topic of Amazon will run on September 9 at 8:15 p.m. on RTL or afterwards on TVNow
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
