CAT A: RESEARCH TASK

Life Orientation

Isha Kalyan 12H

Southdowns College
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4.1 Industry and Sector for Amazon
The nature of the industry and sector that Amazon operates in is the tertiary sector in the e-
commerce and online retail industry. Amazon is one of the largest and most influential companies in
this sector, known for its wide range of products, global reach, and innovative approach to online
shopping.

The e-commerce industry encompasses businesses that conduct commercial transactions

electronically over the internet. It involves the buying and selling of products and services online,
providing consumers with the convenience of shopping from anywhere and at any time.

Amazon, specifically, operates as an online marketplace and retailer. It offers a vast selection of
products, including books, electronics, clothing, home goods, and more. The company provides a
platform for third-party sellers to reach customers globally through its marketplace, as well as selling
its own branded products. Amazon's success is attributed to its customer-centric approach, fast
delivery options, competitive pricing, and the convenience of online shopping.

The tertiary sector is characterized by businesses that provide services rather than producing
tangible goods. It encompasses a wide range of industries, including retail, finance, healthcare,
hospitality, transportation, and more. In the case of Amazon, its primary service is the facilitation of
online retail and e-commerce.

As an online marketplace and retailer, Amazon provides various services to its customers. These
services include product listings, customer reviews, secure payment processing, order fulfilment,
and reliable shipping options. Amazon's focus is on delivering a seamless shopping experience and
exceptional customer service.

Figure 1: Amazon negative sentiment logo (Alex Figure 2: Amazon Warehouse (Day, et al, 2020)
Castro)

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4.2 Amazon Injustices
4.2.1 Social Impact of Unethical Labour Practices

Unethical labour conditions encompass a range of unfair and harmful treatments towards workers,
violating labour rights and ethical standards. These conditions include low wages, exploitation,
unsafe working environments, forced labour, human trafficking, child labour, discrimination,
harassment, and the denial of workers' rights. They infringe upon human rights, jeopardize worker
well-being, and undermine dignity.

Amazon has faced significant criticism due to reported incidents involving unethical labour
conditions. These incidents include imposing excessive workloads on employees, surpassing
prescribed overtime limits, resulting in injuries and subjecting them to significant psychological
pressure. [Isobel Asher Hamilton, 2021]

Figure 3: Amazon work relates stress

Source: New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism conducted interviews with warehouse workers across the
country and found many struggling due to unpaid wages and cancelled shifts. Some workers are on
zero-hour contracts, in contradiction of Amazon's own policies, with no guarantee of minimum pay
each week. They face challenges in addressing these complaints with their recruitment agencies.

Workers at Amazon warehouses experience last-minute shift changes, leaving them with little time
to prepare and decide whether to stay or leave. The understaffing of warehouses contributes to
exhaustion among workers. Online reviews also highlight concerns such as short lunch breaks, lack
of training, and excessive expectations of productivity. [Insider Croydon, 2021]

Amazon warehouse workers have raised concerns about the company's pace of work, which hinders
their ability to take adequate bathroom and rest breaks and leads to unfair disciplinary actions.
[Palmer, 2018]

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The Times interviewed Amazon staff and reviewed internal documents that revealed instances of
Amazon short-changing employees on leave, including medical and disability leave. These problems
spanned at least a year and a half, potentially affecting up to 179 warehouses.

Work processes at Amazon have been found to prioritize speed over safety, resulting in serious
worker injuries. While Amazon has efficient systems for customer orders, the same level of
commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of workers is lacking. [Douglas Parker, assistant
secretary of Labour for occupational safety and health]

Figure 4: Amazon complaints regarding pain

Investigation by BuzzFeed News revealed that contracted drivers for Amazon work under gruelling
conditions to meet delivery goals. They are forced to skip meals, drive recklessly, and resort to
urinating in bottles to save time and deliver more packages. [BuzzFeed News, 2019]

Workers in Long Island Amazon warehouses reported physical pain, primarily in the feet and lower
back, as well as psychological pressures and disrupted sleep schedules. Amazon drivers, often with
inadequate training and driving vehicles in disrepair, have been involved in accidents, including
collisions with cars, bicycles, houses, and pedestrians. The pressure to deliver more packages has led
drivers to stack parcels dangerously on their dashboards, causing serious collisions. [Campbell, 2019;
Benninger and O'Donovan, 2019]

Figure 5: The percentage of surveyed Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island who reported pain in highlighted areas.
Source: New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health

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UNI Global Union has received reports of hundreds of ambulance callouts, pregnant women forced
to stand for long hours, physically demanding tasks, heavy cart pulling, and excessive walking. There
have even been instances of miscarriages at work. [UNI global union, 2018]

The TTP discovered that certain Amazon suppliers, including Luxshare Precision Industry, AcBel
Polytech, and Lens Technology, have reportedly engaged in forced labour practices. Additionally,
two other companies, GoerTek and Hefei BOE Optoelectronics, are indirectly involved and allegedly
utilize suppliers accused of using forced labour.

Figure 6: Amazon workers skip toilet breaks (McCarthy, 2018)

One of the main causes for these practices is that Amazon prioritises profit ahead of employee care
and satisfaction, together with their focus on high customer satisfaction that forces staff to work
under highly stressful environments and workloads.

Environmental Impact: Pollution

Carbon Emission
Carbon emissions, also known as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, refer to the release of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere as a by-product of human activities, particularly the burning of fossil
fuels and deforestation. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to the greenhouse
effect and global warming.

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 Figure 7: Carbon emissions (350 Seattle)

Transportation, particularly medium- and heavy-duty trucks, is a significant source of carbon dioxide
emissions in the US. Previously, these trucks delivered goods to retail hubs, but now they often make
individual deliveries due to the rise of online shopping. Although convenient for consumers, this shift
in delivery practices has resulted in increased carbon emissions and environmental impact. [Del
Valle, 2019]

Amazon's reliance on contract labour and the use of smaller delivery trucks further complicates the
carbon emissions issue. These smaller vehicles have limited storage space and generally result in
higher carbon footprints compared to larger trucks used by traditional retailers. Consequently, the
industry's emphasis on speedy delivery, such as one-day or one-hour services, poses challenges to
achieving carbon-neutral operations. Experts argue that increased speed often hinders
environmental efficiency. [Winkie, 2022]

Figure 8: Amazon delivery vehicles (Palmer, 2022)

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 Figure 9: Amazon delivery vehicles (350 Seattle)

Amazon's carbon emissions surged by 18% in 2021 due to the significant increase in e-commerce
activities driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's sustainability report revealed that it
emitted approximately 71.54 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2021, marking an
18% rise from 2020 and a nearly 40% increase from 2019 when Amazon first disclosed its carbon
footprint. [Palmer, 2022]

Figure 10: Amazon carbon emissions and intensity (Yu, 2022)

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 Figure 11: Amazon Prime: Powered by diesel (c350 Seattle)

Environmental Impact of Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution refers to the widespread accumulation of plastic waste in the environment,
particularly in oceans, rivers, landfills, and other natural habitats. It is a global environmental issue
caused by the excessive production, consumption, improper disposal of plastic materials and the
widespread use of single-use plastics.

According to a study conducted by Oceana, Amazon generated approximately 599 million pounds of
plastic packaging waste in 2020. This represents a significant increase of 29% compared to Oceana's
previous estimate of 465 million pounds in 2019. The study further reveals that if we consider only
the air pillows used for packaging, Amazon's plastic waste would be equivalent to circling the Earth
more than 600 times.

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 Figure 12: Amazon packaging (Petsko, 2020)

By analysing e-commerce packaging data and combining it with a recent study published in Science,
Oceana estimates that around 23.5 million pounds of Amazon's plastic packaging waste entered and
polluted waterways and oceans in 2020. This is equivalent to dumping a delivery van's worth of
plastic into the oceans every 67 minutes. [Oceana, 2021]

Figure 13: Amazon packaging (Petsko, 2020)

It is abundantly clear, that senior management at Amazon places a lot of importance on the
company’s profitability and their ability to continue growing and dominating the e-commerce
industry across the globe. This strategy does not focus on the disastrous impact that it has on the
environment and the level of environmental sustainability.

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4.3.1 Remediation Intervention Strategy
Government - Legislative Actions
The government can create and pass new laws to enforce stricter labour regulations and
environmental standards to protect workers and reduce the environmental impact of companies like
Amazon. This can include setting limits on working hours, ensuring that staff are paid fair wages, and
implementing penalties for violations.

The government needs to appoint people and create legal bodies that are responsible for ensuring
that the laws are adhered to and implemented. These entities should have the necessary funding,
expertise, and all the resources needed to keep a check on companies both large and small.

Conducting research and collecting data on the impact of unethical labour practices and
environmental harm caused by companies like Amazon is crucial. This includes gathering information
on working conditions, wages, health and safety records, carbon emissions, and plastic waste
generated. Research findings can be used to develop new policies and laws.

By shedding light on the situation through media coverage and the testimonies of affected
individuals, the public can become more aware of the ethical and labour challenges within the e-
commerce industry. This awareness can contribute to increased pressure on Amazon and other e-
commerce companies to improve working conditions, ensure fair pay, and prioritize the well-being
of their employees.

Figure 14: Amendments to Labour Law (Cliff Deker Hofmeyer, 2018)

E-commerce Industry - Transparency and Disclosure

E-commerce platforms can promote transparency by providing detailed information about their
supply chains, including the working conditions and environmental practices of their partner
companies. This can be achieved by disclosing audits, certifications, and sustainability reports.

E-commerce platforms will need to conduct regular audits and assessments of their partner
companies to evaluate their working conditions and environmental practices. This may involve hiring
independent auditors or establishing internal auditing teams.

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 Figure 15: Good governance for success (World Bank, 2021)

Collaboration and Standards

E-commerce companies can collaborate with industry associations, NGOs, and experts to develop
and implement industry-wide standards and best practices. These standards can cover ethical labour
practices, environmental sustainability, and responsible supply chain management. By adopting and
promoting these standards, e-commerce companies can set a positive example for the entire
industry.

Retailers should also invest in zero-emission delivery vehicles that are more environmentally
friendly.

Figure 16: Building a successful team (Intel, 2021)

Individuals
Individuals have a significant role to play in addressing the problem of unethical labour practices at
Amazon. They can raise awareness about the issues, educate others, and engage in discussions to
draw attention to the problem. By supporting ethical brands and consciously choosing to boycott or
divest from Amazon, individuals can send a strong message against unethical labour practices.
Engaging in activism, such as joining labour rights groups, participating in protests, and contacting
elected representatives, will increase the pressure on companies like Amazon and allow them to re-
evaluate their practices. Making ethical consumer choices by choosing alternate e-commerce
platforms, and lobbying for fair labour standards can bring about positive change and hold

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companies accountable for their actions. Even though each individual action is small, when
combined as a collective effort, they can help drive systemic changes in the treatment of workers at
Amazon and other companies.

Education and Awareness: Individuals would need access to information about the unethical labour
practices at Amazon and the impacts on workers. This can be obtained through research,
investigative journalism, and credible sources advocating for workers' rights.

Communication Platforms: Individuals would require access to platforms that allow them to raise
awareness and engage in discussions. Social media, online forums, and community.

Figure 17: Do boycotts affect the bottom line (Escudero, 2023)

4.3.2. All Stakeholders

Suppliers
Supplier are central to Amazon because they provide all the products that you can buy from their
website. Without suppliers they would be no market place. If suppliers are unethical it can
negatively affect the business.

Employees
Employees are responsible for performing all of the busier functions for Amazon, these include
customer facing functions such packaging and distribution as well as support functions like finance
and marketing. If employees are unmotivated due to work conditions and low wages this can hinder
production and negatively impact profits.

Customers
They are the people that purchase the products on offer from Amazon. They have the power to
influence change in the business by making conscious purchasing decisions based on ethics and
sustainability.

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 Figure 18: Stakeholder map (CFI, 2020)

4.4 My Role
As someone with coding skills, a love for nature, and a passion for reading, I can contribute to
addressing the issue of unethical labour practices at Amazon in meaningful ways. Through blogging
and the use of social media platforms, I will raise awareness about the challenges faced by Amazon
workers and the importance of supporting companies with ethical practices. By combining my
gardening knowledge with sustainability efforts, I will encourage others to adopt eco-friendly
practices and highlight the environmental impact of unethical labour practices. As I pursue a BIS in
Multimedia, I will use my diverse skill set to create engaging multimedia content that sheds light on
the issue. I will collaborate with like-minded individuals and join communities focused on workers'
rights and sustainability to amplify our collective voice for change.

4.5 My Plan for Conscious Consumerism

I intend to investigate and support companies that place a high value on ethical labour practices and
worker well-being in order to make informed purchasing decisions as a conscientious consumer and
a personal change agent. I'll buy goods that were made sustainably and with good production
practices. I hope to encourage others to practice mindful consumption by sharing my experiences
and knowledge through social media, blog entries, and conversations with friends and family. I will
advocate for supply chain transparency, encouraging others to look at business practices and
support those who maintain moral standards.

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References
350 Seattle. (undated). ACCOUNTABILITY: AMAZON. Available from:
https://350seattle.org/accountability-amazon/. [Accessed: 13/6/2023].

BuzzFeed News. (2019). Amazon’s Next-Day Delivery Has Brought Chaos And Carnage To America’s
Streets — But The World’s Biggest Retailer Has A System To Escape The Blame. Available from:
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolineodonovan/amazon-next-day-delivery-deaths.
[Accessed: 10/6/2023].

Campbell, A. (2019). The problem with Amazon’s speedy shipping, in one graphic. Available from:
https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/10/18/20920717/amazon-shipping-workers-injuries.
[Accessed: 10/6/2023].

Day M, Fouquet H. (2020). Coronavirus Strikes at Amazon’s Operational Heart: Its Delivery Machine.
Available from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-16/coronavirus-strikes-at-
amazon-s-operational-heart-its-delivery-machine#xj4y7vzkg. [Accessed: 13/6/2023].

Del Valle, G. (2019). Amazon created the expectation of 2-day shipping. Now it needs to scale back..
Available from: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/4/23/18508093/amazon-prime-two-day-
shipping. [Accessed: 11/6/2023].

Hamilton, I. (2021). A mom told Jeff Bezos that Amazon was underpaying her $90 a month, sparking
an internal probe that found the company was shortchanging some workers, a report says. Available
from: https://news.yahoo.com/mom-told-jeff-bezos-amazon-140758526.html. [Accessed:
10/6/2023].

Inside Croydon. (2021). ‘Disposable labour’: Amazon workers describe life at the depot. Available
from: https://insidecroydon.com/2021/02/19/disposable-labour-amazon-workers-describe-life-at-
the-depot/. [Accessed: 10/6/2023].

McCarthy N. (2018). Report: Amazon workers skip toilet breaks to keep their jobs. Available from:
https://www.statista.com/chart/13554/report_-amazon-workers-skip-toilet-breaks-to-keep-their-
jobs/. [Accessed: 13/6/2023].

Nguyen, T. (2019). Amazon’s 1-day shipping is convenient — and terrible for the environment.
Available from: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/10/16/20917467/amazon-one-day-shipping-
bad-for-environment. [Accessed: 11/6/2023].

Oceana. (2021). Exposed: Amazon’s enormous and rapidly growing plastic pollution problem.
Available from: https://oceana.org/reports/amazon-report-2021/. [Accessed: 11/6/2023].

Palmer, A. (2022). Amazon emissions increased 18% last year as Covid drove online shopping surge.
Available from: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/01/amazon-says-carbon-emissions-increased-
18percent-in-2021.html. [Accessed: 11/6/2023].

Palmer, A. (2023). Amazon cited by Labor Department for exposing warehouse workers to safety
hazards. Available from: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/18/amazon-cited-by-osha-for-exposing-
warehouse-workers-to-safety-hazards.html. [Accessed: 10/6/2023].

Petsko, E. (2020). Amazon packages are awash in plastic. How much of it is actually recyclable?.
Available from: https://oceana.org/blog/amazon-packages-are-awash-plastic-how-much-it-actually-
recyclable/. [Accessed: 13/6/2023].

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Roth, E. (2022). Amazon is reportedly using Chinese suppliers with ties to forced labor. Available
from: https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/7/22965654/amazon-suppliers-forced-labor-china-
uyghurs. [Accessed: 10/6/2023].

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. (2021). Amazon’s empty pledge leaves agency workers
without shifts and pay. Available from: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2021-02-
18/amazons-empty-pledge-leaves-agency-workers-without-shifts-and-pay. [Accessed: 10/6/2023].

UNI global union. (2018). GMB AMAZON INVESTIGATION REVEALS 100S OF AMBULANCE CALL OUTS
AND WORKERS IN CONSTANT PAIN. Available from: https://uniglobalunion.org/news/gmb-amazon-
investigation-reveals-100s-of-ambulance-call-outs-and-workers-in-constant-pain/. [Accessed:
10/6/2023].

Winkie, L. (2022). Exhausted workers, polluting journeys: how unethical is next-day delivery?.
Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/may/10/next-day-delivery-
unethical-amazon-workers-pollution. [Accessed: 11/6/2023].

Yu, W. (2022). How Did Amazon Achieve CSR and Some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—
Climate Change, Circular Economy, Water Resources and Employee Rights during COVID-19?.
Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/15/8/364. [Accessed: 13/6/2023].

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