Amazon was not represented at a hearing of the European Parliament after a row with the employment committee over which personnel should appear before it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Unions and lawmakers called for more measures on top of Amazon’s access restriction to the European Parliament after the US tech giant failed to deliver a senior manager before the Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL) committee for a grilling on workers’ conditions on Thursday.
The Parliament has made the hearing a precondition for Amazon regaining access to its premises, after the tech giant's access badges were withdrawn in February last year because the company failed to attend a series of hearings and factory visits in 2021 and 2023 related to workers’ rights.
Amazon previously said it would send two Europe-based vice-presidents based on their expertise, rather than Senior Vice President Russell Grandinetti, who the committee had asked to see, as Euronews reported.
The committee refused to accept the change of speakers and therefore the hearing went ahead without Amazon.
An Amazon spokesperson said the company was “disappointed” by the committee’s decision.
“We were ready and willing to share information about our operations in the European Union and our efforts to set the standard for a safe and modern working environment in the logistics industry,” the statement said.
In a letter seen by Euronews, Amazon wrote to the President of the Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on Monday suggesting setting up a meeting with Senior Vice President for Global Affairs & Legal, David Zapolsky, in Washington, to “discuss broader policy issues of interest” to the Parliament.
EU contracts
UNI Europa Regional Secretary Oliver Roethig said at the hearing that “Amazon must face consequences for such uncooperative behaviour towards our democratic institutions.”
The union called for making public all the EU institutional contracts with Amazon and its subsidiaries, and “to suspend them pending a review of their compatibility with EU procurement laws and ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and terminate those found in breach.”
Lawmaker Liesbeth Sommen (Belgium/EPP), also called for the ban to continue. “We should keep it, it’s not OK that the management is not here, there is no respect for our house.”
Laila Chaibi (France/GUE-NGL) said more action is needed and called “to put an end to any contract with Amazon”.
Tougher measures are also demanded by NGO’s, Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO), LobbyControl and SOMO.
“Amazon's repeated disregard for democratic scrutiny should get alarm bells ringing. It is clear the company should not regain its lobby badges, but MEPs should also stop meeting with a company which clearly does not want to play by the rules,” said Bram Vranken, a CEO researcher.
Euronews reported earlier this week that, despite the access badges being revoked, Amazon managed to secure at least 66 meetings with lawmakers to discuss technology legislation.