Address to the House of Representatives, Statements by Members

Monday 25 November 2024

As Black Friday sales take place here in Australia and in many other countries, Amazon workers will face undeniable pressure and stress to fulfil orders right around the globe. I and my colleagues on this side of the House believe that it's time to stop lower-paid workers being exploited by multinational companies like Amazon. Sadly, the race to the bottom on wages and secure jobs is a global problem, and Amazon is a prime example. It's real, and it's still happening here in Australia. This government's reforms to gig work, labour hire and casuals are important steps in addressing Amazon's exploitation of Australian workers, but there is still much more that needs to be done.

This week, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, the Transport Workers Union and unions across the world are calling for an end to poor working conditions and low wages for Amazon workers. Amazon exploits its workers in Australia including by hiring warehouse staff as casuals and through labour hire and its delivery workers as gig workers, and by imposing punishing productivity targets and workplace surveillance. By ripping off workers and evading tax, Amazon undercuts good Australian businesses. As the union for Amazon online retail workers, the SDA is working tirelessly to stop the Americanisation of wages and working conditions in Australia. The TWU is working hard to provide safe standards for transport workers who deliver Amazon's goods to consumers.