While the Amazon Prime Days are in full swing and forecast sales of $ 23.8 billion (21.97 billion euros) for the online giant this week, a new study highlights the considerable risks of forced labor in Amazon sellers’ supply chains: inside.
An investigation by the human rights organization Labor Behind The Label pursued fashion products from three British sellers: inside to three suppliers in Pakistan. Several indications of forced labor were found there. Textile workers: Inside in the suppliers reported that no minimum wages were paid to them. They would also be forced to work overtime and excessively long working hours without receiving legal contracts or salary bills. In addition, they would not have access to the mandatory social insurance.
Report covers potential risks of forced labor in the supply chains of dealers: inside on Amazon
In the report, machine operator Hussain, who works at one of the Pakistani suppliers, had their say, which produces products for small brands, including the Amazon seller ICE Cool Fashion. Hussain stated that he only earns 35,700 Pakistani rupees (PKR) per month, which corresponds to $ 125.41 or 95.50 British pound or £ 114.25. For this he works ten hours a day.
Hussain is below the minimum wage of 38,280 PKR per month for trained workers: inside. “We hardly survive with such a salary. I live with my five children in a two -room apartment. I hardly manage to pay my bills with such a salary and we live from hand in my mouth,” reports Hussain.
Labor Behind the Label followed a connection between shipping company A&M Fashion and ICE Cool Fashion based on shipping documents. The organization found seven deliveries between May 2023 and April 2024 with a total value of $ 44,966.45 (41,557.95 euros). The brand paid $ 8.37 (7.72 euros) per piece for its maxi skirt order, which is sold at Amazon for 29.99 British pounds (35.89 euros).
Amazon is currently taking on a dominant position on the US and British fashion market. According to Statista, the company generated almost ten billion US dollars in the United States alone in 2024 (9.22 billion euros). In addition, 28 million British consumers bought: around 40 percent of the population – in 2024 fashion online. This generated £ 31.6 billion (37.78 billion euros) sales in Great Britain, whereby Amazon repeatedly called the most popular pure online shop for the purchase of clothing.
More transparency to combat risks of forced labor in the supply chains of the Amazon sellers
“The shocking results in our new report show that Amazon’s monopoly is based on hidden exploitation,” says Anna Bryher, Policy Lead at Labor Behind the Label. The third -party bidding are fundamental to Amazon’s business model and its comet -like financial success.
“Nevertheless, products from forced labor are only a few clicks away for the millions of Amazon buyers: inside who buy online fashion. Behind Jeff Bezos’ opulent appearance is a dark truth: This obscene wealth was with little care for transparency, the well-being of the workers: inside or the planet.”
Since the majority of the fashion products sold on Amazon come from smaller brands with limited transparency of the supply chain or procurement guidelines, the activists believe: inside of Labor Behind The Label that it is at the online marketplace to take measures; Human rights would have to be ensured within his value chains.
“A lack of transparency leads to dirty, poorly paid production and hidden exploitation,” adds Bryher. “Amazon’s business model must stop recovering risks and start to subject its supply chains to public control so that people and planet are really protected.”
In order to reduce the risks of forced labor, the Amazon organization asks to demand from its offerers to publicly announce the data of their delivery companies and the manufacturing locations of their products.
In addition, Labor Behind The Label recommends that Amazon introduces binding human rights standards on its entire marketplace and checks them. In addition, it should be committed to take joint measures if necessary to compensate for workers: inside if forced labor is uncovered.
In response to the results of the investigation, the Amazon press office said: “The provision of secure, healthy and fair working conditions is a prerequisite for cooperation with Amazon in every country in which we work. Sales partners: Interior that offer products in our shops must adhere to our supply chain standards, even if they go beyond the requirements of the applicable right.
The online marketplace added that all of its third-party independent companies are that would have to follow all applicable laws, regulations and Amazon guidelines if they offer articles for sale. Those who violate these guidelines should expect decisive measures, “up to the preservation of funds, the termination of accounts and the forwarding to the law enforcement authorities.”
This article was used with digital tools translated.
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