Amazon in recruitment drive as locked down populations turn to online shopping
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As more than half of the world’s population is currently living under varying degrees of lockdown and social distancing impositions, many have resorted to online shopping spree. One of the biggest beneficiaries of this shopping phenomenon appears to be US tech giant Amazon. The company had already recruited 100,000 extra staff in March, but has now launched a drive to employ 75,000 more.
The company is struggling cope with what it has described as a massive surge in demand as people remained confined at home and has admitted that it had to place a number of customers on the waiting list for a short time.
In particular, the company is targeting the American workers who lost their jobs in the wake of the pandemic. A record 16 million of US citizens have submitted unemployment claims as companies in a multitude of economic sectors have laid of workers in the wake of the crisis.
In a statement, Amazon said “We continue to see increased demand as our teams support their communities, and are going to continue to hire, creating an additional 75,000 jobs to help serve customers during this unprecedented time.” The company has also announced wage increases, particularly on overtime pay, and improved leave conditions.
Following protests by employees in at least three of its facilities regarding protection for employees during the pandemic, it has announced that it will be paying for two weeks leave for workers who tested positive for the virus or are in quarantine.
