Just watched Panorama on Amazon’s ultra-exploitative battery-hen type working conditions (and pay scales – the daily rate is £6.50 per hour, the nightly rate £8.25). See the BBC’s webpage report:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25034598

In addition to the stress of work patterns, the constant surveillance, the system of disciplinary warnings, intense pressure on how fast you work and the real health issues that arise from this exploitation, there is the fact that profit-rich Amazon has been given millions in taxpayers’ money as an incentive to set up warehouses in Wales, Scotland and elsewhere. So the state uses public money as a bribe to big business but withdraws public money (in the shape of benefits) from individuals in order to force them into low-paid, temporary, health-threatening jobs at places like – well, yes – Amazon.

What can be done? The GMB was mentioned in the programme but I’m not sure that the union has members there. Individuals, of course, could withdraw their custom or other kinds of involvement (I have published a book in the Kindle store, for example, and could withdraw it). But individual action (though it makes you feel better) feels like a long route to nowhere. At the end of the day union organisation and action is the answer. I can’t apply for a job myself – I’m 71, and the young man who did the undercover job for Panorama was 23 and he nearly keeled over! There are worse epitaphs than one that says, “He tried to organise a union at Amazon”, but I’m not volunteering!

I’m going to retweet this to various unions (GMB, Unite, Unison, USDAW – any more?). If you’re concerned, let them know. And let Amazon know.

And if you have any ideas, use the comment box or reply. I’m out of ideas. I’m just angry.