Thousands of workers and activists worldwide are preparing coordinated strikes and protests against Amazon during the peak Black Friday to Cyber Monday shopping period. The “Make Amazon Pay” campaign, uniting participants in over 30 countries, accuses the tech giant of fueling inequality, undermining democratic rights, and driving environmental harm.
The Core of the Complaint: Exploitation and Influence
The protests stem from a broader concern that Amazon’s power extends far beyond retail. The company now dominates logistics, cloud services, policing, border enforcement, and political lobbying. Critics argue Amazon’s political contributions – including funding for Donald Trump’s inauguration – have directly benefited its business interests through deregulation and union-busting efforts.
“Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and their political allies are betting on a techno-authoritarian future, but workers everywhere are saying: enough.” – Christy Hoffman, UNI Global Union
The movement highlights Amazon’s model as deepening inequality and suppressing worker’s rights to organize and demand safe working conditions. In Manesar, India, warehouse worker Neha Singh describes extreme heat conditions where employees are forced to work through fainting spells under threat of pay cuts or termination. The company is accused of treating workers as expendable in the pursuit of relentless productivity targets.
Environmental and Political Concerns Escalate
Beyond labor issues, environmental groups contend that Amazon’s growing political influence poses wider risks. The company’s support for repressive regimes and its role in surveillance systems – including contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – are under scrutiny.
Amazon’s technologies are woven into systems of violence worldwide, according to activists, who point to its involvement in ICE raids and repression of Palestinians. The campaign demands Amazon be held accountable for its environmental impact, including excessive water and energy consumption in its massive data centers.
Global Action: From Walkouts to Digital Protests
Protests are planned across Amazon’s global empire, including walkouts in Germany, Cyber Monday demonstrations in the United States targeting ICE contracts, and actions in Europe, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and South Africa. Organizers are also coordinating digital protests, projection stunts, and online solidarity events to amplify the message.
The “Make Amazon Pay” coalition demands fair wages, corporate tax payments, and financial restitution for environmental damage. Amazon’s latest financial filings show the company paid $1.4 billion less in taxes compared to the previous year, further fueling criticism.
The protests signify a growing resistance against Big Tech’s unchecked power, with activists warning that Amazon’s increasing reliance on automation threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs. The movement underscores the need to hold corporations accountable for their economic, social, and environmental impact.
