Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to add my voice to the SDA's Make Amazon Pay campaign. This week the SDA, the TWU and other unions across not only Australia but the world are calling for an end to the poor working conditions and low wages for Amazon workers. People need to know that Amazon are all about profits and never about their workforce. They put their profits before the people who work for them.

Amazon is staunchly anti union and seeks to deny workers a collective voice wherever it can. Amazon has faced more than 250 US labour law complaints alleging unfair labour practices across its company. Union members in the US and the UK both said Amazon flooded their workplaces with new employees in an attempt to defeat attempts at unionisation, as well as engaging in other widespread union-busting activities.

Furthermore, Amazon continues to dodge tax wherever possible. In fact, Amazon has the worst tax conduct amongst the tech giants. Cash tax amounted to just 11.3 per cent of their profit over the decade to 2019. In the decade 2011 to 2020, Amazon paid just $5.9 billion in income tax, while Apple paid $100.6 billion and Microsoft paid $55.3 billion.

As Black Friday sales commence this Friday, not just in America but here in Australia and in many other countries, Amazon workers will face undeniable pressure and stress to fulfil orders around the world, placing great strain on individuals and their families. The race to the bottom on wages and secure jobs is not just something those opposite allowed to happen for almost 10 years. It is a global problem—a problem that needs to be addressed and that is made worse by companies like Amazon.

Amazon is a world champion for these poor practices. Thousands of Amazon drivers aren't even getting paid the minimum wage. They have no rights and are pressured into driving dangerous vehicles which are overloaded, to avoid being sacked on the job. This is deplorable, and Amazon must be called out for not caring for their workforce. This week is a reminder that Amazon workers—who kept filling and delivering orders throughout the pandemic—just like all road transport workers, deserve respect and have the right to a safe workplace right around the world, as does every working person. Working rights are human rights, so I implore you to join this campaign.

Whilst profits continue to soar at Amazon and the net worth of Amazon's chairman, Jeff Bezos, hits $219 billion, Amazon really should be looking at their record on the lack of support for their workers. There are allegations, as I said, of all sorts of things happening within their workplaces, like unfair work practices and the exploitation of their employees. So the next time you think about shopping on Amazon, think about what the people that are in their warehouses and doing the deliveries are being put through and how little they're being paid.

I stand with the SDA in fighting for the rights of working people and fighting for equality, whether it's here in Australia or globally.

As you do your Christmas shopping, think about our retail workers. They will be under the pump because too many of us leave our Christmas shopping till the very last moment. Treat those workers with respect. Reflect on how you treated them during the pandemic. Instead of being grumpy, why not wish them a merry Christmas and thank them for what they do, because no-one deserves a serve.

Our country's workers deserve fair pay and conditions and secure employment. The Albanese government have been fighting for workers. We have closed unfair loopholes at work and we've increased the minimum wage, after 10 terrible years under the former government. Respect those people who serve us and wish everyone a merry Christmas. (Time expired)