Among other companies, the employees of Amazon at the Staten Island warehouse had planned to stage a walkout on March 30. The reason for the walkout was Amazon's decision to continue the operations of the facility despite the discovery of a confirmed COVID-19 case in the warehouse. Additionally, the employees are starting to believe that Amazon does not have adequate resources to protect its workers from the deadly COVID-19, says an article.

The Employee Walk-Out at Amazon

Approximately 200 employees had planned to participate in the walk-out. According to the coordinator of the walk-out Christian Smalls, the walk-out will be for their demand for the close and sanitation of the facilities. Also, they aim to be given appropriate remuneration.

Smalls was the assistant manager of the warehouse. He was tasked to manage 600 employees every week. He believes that the facility is currently the 'breeding ground' of the pandemic.

Amazon Workers Testing Positive for the COVID-19

In 13 Amazon facilities across 8 US states, some workers had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Employees of the company are campaigning for the suspension of operations of the facilities and their sanitation. Employees demand that during that period, employees will be provided with sick leaves and be tested for the COVID-19. There were at least two warehouses closed due to positive COVID-19 cases among the workers on those facilities.

Amazon employees who had tested positive for the COVID-19 or had been in contact with infected persons are advised by the company to stay at home. These people will be provided with two weeks paid leave, said Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos.

Calling Out to Bezos

The walkouts were held by the employees to demand Bezos to provide them with better protection against COVID-19 while at work.

There were approximately 4,670 employees who signed a petition. The petition includes a demand for sick leave for all employees regardless of their diagnosis. The reason for this demand is the insufficiency of test kits to test all employees of the business.

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Amazon's Response to the Petition

Amazon expresses its commitment to the safety and health of its staff. Also, it shared that it had increased the intensity and frequency of cleaning in all its work areas. Additionally, the company is strictly enforcing social distancing guidelines for all its networks.

Amazon as an Essential Business in the US

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, non-essential businesses' operations had been suspended across the U.S. Also, social distancing measures and movement restrictions are being imposed across the country.

During this period, Amazon is seen as an essential business. It has been serving people who are stuck in their homes by delivering grocery items in front of their homes.

The business had already opened up 100,000 positions to meet the growing demands amid the COVID-19 crisis. However, the company is receiving criticisms for its failure to provide necessary protection for its workers amid the pandemic.