Workers at Amazon warehouses in Pune and Mumbai are gearing up for a protest on February 10 due to the company’s failure to implement a previously agreed-upon agreement. The Hamal Panchayat, which is organizing the protest, is demanding that Amazon provide the benefits promised under the Mathadi system, which were agreed upon three months ago.
These workers, who are employed through Amazon’s contractor company Vaishali Transcarriers, have been struggling with low wages and a lack of social security benefits for the past four years. Despite reaching an agreement with the company after the intervention of the Hamal Panchayat and the Maharashtra State Labour Department, no action has been taken by Amazon in the last three months.
Chandan Kumar, the protest coordinator, expressed frustration over the company’s failure to address the workers’ demands even after signing an agreement. This has led the workers to resort to a protest to make their voices heard.
The issue of worker exploitation is not limited to Amazon warehouse employees. The gig workforce in India has been growing rapidly, with an estimated 8 million gig workers currently and projections to reach 23.5 million by 2029-30. However, these workers often lack legal protections and social security benefits despite the crucial role they play in the economy.
In a positive development, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced formal recognition for gig workers in the latest Union Budget, signaling a step towards providing them with the rights and protections they deserve.
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