Amazon workers spotted 'living in tents' near Dunfermline site

Laborious-pressed staff at Amazon are believed to have resorted to sleeping in tents to allow them to make it to work.

Not less than three have been noticed in woodland beside the net retail big's base in latest days, sparking considerations concerning the depths some workers are apparently plumbing to carry down a job.

One employee, who didn't want to be named, was reluctant to talk however did describe the agency as a 'poor employer' and criticised working practices at the Fife web site, in response to The Courier.

He added that he had opted to remain in a tent because it was simpler and cheaper than commuting from his residence in Perth, though his tenting tools had disappeared by Friday afternoon.

Not less than three have been noticed in woodland beside the net retail big's base in latest days

One employee, who didn't want to be named, was reluctant to talk however did describe the agency as a 'poor employer' and criticised working practices on the Fife web site

Not less than two different tents have reportedly been noticed 

Amazon employs round 1,500 employees on a everlasting foundation at its fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, Fife, however has created four,000 seasonal jobs to assist cowl the busy Christmas and New Yr interval.

One other tent seems to have been deserted, with garbage, discarded sleeping baggage and cans of cider among the many objects strewn round close by.  

The corporate got here below fireplace final month from native activists who claimed that company staff are working as much as 60 hours per week for little extra than the minimal wage and are harshly handled.

Amazon dismissed these allegations and stated it values its workers, sustaining a 'tradition of direct dialogue' with them.

Nonetheless, the information that a few of its employees have taken to roughing it on bitterly chilly winter nights has prompted renewed questions on worker welfare.

The Dunfermline web site is Amazon's greatest UK distribution centre and is the dimensions of 14 soccer pitches

The Dunfermline web site is situated simply off the M90 motorway in Fife 

A couple of million objects line the cabinets and as many as 64 gross sales a second happen

Scottish Liberal Democrat chief Willie Rennie MSP, who has repeatedly referred to as for the agency to enhance its working circumstances and its tax document, as soon as extra criticised Amazon after studying that some staff had apparently taken to staying within the woods.

Scottish Liberal Democrat chief Willie Rennie has repeatedly referred to as for Amazon to enhance working circumstances and its tax document

'Amazon must be ashamed that they pay their staff so little that they should camp out within the useless of winter to make ends meet,' he stated.

'Amazon must take an extended, laborious take a look at themselves and alter their methods.

'They pay a small quantity of tax and acquired hundreds of thousands of the kilos from the SNP Authorities so the least they need to do is pay the correct dwelling wage.

'The fares the corporate cost for transport swallow up loads of the weekly wage which is forcing folks to hunt ever extra determined methods of creating work pay.'

Earlier this yr, Mr Rennie demanded that the multinational firm receives no extra public money till they might assure larger wages for staff, amid strategies that some employees have been paid effectively under the present dwelling wage of £eight.45 an hour.

A spokesman for Amazon stated: 'Amazon offers a protected and constructive office.

Amazon employs round 1,500 employees on a everlasting foundation at its fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, Fife, however has created four,000 seasonal jobs to assist cowl the busy Christmas and New Yr interval

Amazon acknowledged that it values its workers, and maintains a 'tradition of direct dialogue' with them

'The security and wellbeing of our everlasting and non permanent associates is our primary precedence.

'We're additionally proud to have been capable of create a number of thousand new everlasting roles in our UK fulfilment centres over the past 5 years.

'We pay aggressive wages - all everlasting and non permanent Amazon associates begin on £7.35 an hour or above no matter age and £11 an hour and above for time beyond regulation.'

The corporate not too long ago got here below fireplace for his or her 'dehumanising' working practises, revealed in an undercover investigation by The Mail on Sunday.

Staff have been reportedly allowed mere seconds to search out objects and face disciplinary motion in the event that they failed.

In addition they have been reprimanded for 'too lengthy' rest room breaks - and drivers barely discovered the time for bathroom stops in any respect.

AMAZON SCANDAL - DRIVERS FORCED TO 'DEFECATE IN BAGS'

These allegations come within the wake of latest studies that Amazon staff have been denied correct rest room breaks as a result of harrowing calls for of the vacation season - forcing them to alleviate themselves in no matter means potential. 

Van drivers have been below such stress to make deliveries on time that they used bottles or plastic baggage in lieu of a bathroom, an investigation by the BBC revealed.

A reporter acquired a job with AHC Providers, one of many companies that gives drivers for Amazon in southern England.

For 2 weeks, the investigator was primarily based on the Amazon depot in Avonmouth, Bristol, and stated drivers instructed him they have been anticipated to ship as many as 200 parcels a day, for which they have been paid £110.

The drivers additionally admitted to having to 'defecate in baggage' and 'urinate in bottles' as a result of they didn't have sufficient time for bathroom breaks.  

The investigation additionally claimed that Amazon supply drivers are having to hurry with the intention to slot in all of the agency's deliveries on time.  

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