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Over 600 workers in Amazon's warehouses have suffered serious injuries, union finds

MORE than 600 warehouse workers at anti-union online retailer Amazon have suffered serious injuries or near misses at work in the last three years, according to an investigation by the GMB.

The union says that working conditions at the notorious firm are getting worse and has called for a parliamentary inquiry.

Using freedom of information legislation, GMB found that 622 reports of incidents were made from Amazon warehouses to the government’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE) between 2016 and 2019, with the number rising each year.

For workplace injuries to be reported to the HSE, they must severe enough to prevent someone from performing their usual duties for at least seven days or be included on a specified list of injuries that includes fractures, amputation, crushing, scalping and burning.

GMB national officer Mick Rix said: “Amazon are spending millions on PR campaigns trying to persuade people its warehouses are great places to work.

“But the facts are there for all to see: things are getting worse.

“Hundreds of stricken Amazon workers are needing urgent medical attention. Conditions are hellish.

“We’ve tried over and over again to get Amazon to talk to us to try and improve safety for workers. But enough is enough. It’s now time for a full parliamentary inquiry.”

Labour MP Jack Dromey said: “Amazon purports to be a 21st-century company: it behaves like a 19th-century mill owner.

“Amazon owner the American billionaire Jeff Bezos should be called to account by Parliament for his actions.”

The findings came as Mr Bezos pledged $10 billion (£7.7bn) to help fight climate change — a month after Amazon threatened to sack staff who spoke out against the company’s role in the climate crisis.

Amazon had not responded to requests for comment before the Star went to press.

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