The National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment over the alleged ‘anti-labour’ practices at Amazon’s warehouse located in Haryana’s Manesar. Taking a ‘suo motu cognizance,’ the NHRC has sought the reply from the Secretary, Labour Ministry, within next seven days. In its notice, the commission took note of the media reports about how the workers employed at the warehouse were asked to take a pledge that they would not take any water or toilet breaks until they finish unloading of the material from six trucks.
The NHRC notice comes a day after the Indian Express published a report detailing the account of horrible working conditions at the Manesar warehouse. However, Amazon India issued a clarification stating that the workers are free to take the bathroom breaks.
In a Business Today report dated June 17, the multinational e-commerce giant said that the ‘wellbeing of the staff is our top priority.’ It further said that the design and the infrastructure facility at the warehouse are capable of ensuring a safe, comfortable environment to the employees working there. The Business Today report further said that the company also stated that in case there is an increase in the heat and humidity inside the complex, then at times the work is also ‘temporarily suspended.’
It should be noted that Haryana has been a favoured destination for warehouse facilities by many companies because of the minimum wage slab in the state. As compared with Rs 21,000 in neighbouring Delhi, Haryana has the minimum wage of Rs 11,000.
An Outlook report said that Amazon has been accused of labor rights violations in the past as well. Speaking to Outlook India, a worker from Amazon’s Manesar warehouse had said that they are tracked continuously.