Intro:

Amazon has been ordered to pay a $ 500,000 fine for concealing the number of COVID-19 cases in its California operations.First reported by the Los Angeles Times, the company agreed to pay the fine and improve the case tracking system and notify employees and local health facilities. Amazon should also inform its California store employees of the "exact number of new COVID-19 cases in their workplace" as cases arise.

Credit: Tenor

Category 1:

The company has been criticized for its use of the H1B visa system. Response from Sacramento Bee

Amazon has in the past been criticized for being able to bring foreign technical staff into the H1-B visa system to work in its archives. Visa allows U.S. companies that they hire foreign workers to do jobs that often require special skills and bachelor's degrees or higher.

In February 2017, Amazon admitted to using H1-B visas to hire foreign workers instead of native workers. Amazon has refused to disclose the number of H1-B visas used in its warehouses and distribution centers in California in its annual H1-B completion with the Department of Labor.

Credit: The Guadian Times

COVID-19 Cases In Amazon Warehouses:

COVID-19 is a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. Between 2013 and 2017, Amazon did not report dozens of cases of COVID-19 to California public health facilities. In a statement, a California investigator said: "There is no evidence that Amazon's failure to report any cases has contributed to the spread of this deadly disease or made workers more secure."

$ 500,000 maximum fine approved by the California Environmental Protection Agency. The biggest penalty imposed on the state of California five years ago was $ 1 million in Dow Corning for failing to report cases related to silica dust in silicosis. Amazon must pay a fine within 45 days.

How Amazon Has Failed To Inform Employees And Health Centers:

The agreement between the California Department of Public Health and Amazon focuses on the number of COVID cases in the San Bernardino company warehouse. Staff said they had to regularly ask management about cases of respiratory illness, such as asthma and bronchitis, but had not been notified. An investigation by the California Department of Public Health found that Amazon had failed to inform the country about 10 COVID cases related to asthma in 2013 and 2014.

The Amazon workers' grievances are described in a 65-page report, which states that employees did not receive information about the safety of the air intake system in the warehouse, although it is a major source of illness at the facility.

Effect on COVID-19 Conditions:

"Amazon is an amazing company, but their e-commerce business has always been a big problem for them," said Alameda County public health official Dr. Barbara Ferrer, according to The Mercury News. "Part of this agreement is a commitment that Amazon will ensure that their warehouses are safe havens for employees," said Drs. Ferrer.

Both the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the City of Oakland are guarding Amazon warehouses in violation of human resources which may increase the risk of employee illness. But according to the Times, Amazon ignored requests for human resource review and COVID cases in its warehouses, in violation of Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) rules.

Conclusion:

The mere discovery that Amazon and other companies lock employees within IDAHO-ish secret factories at high risk of physical and emotional harm is alarming. Although the media often focuses on labor issues, which are often eye-opening and shocking, we must remember that the purpose of these institutions is as IDAHO is forced or almost forced to shut down workers in other job opportunities. Amazon's price tag on mandatory secrecy is high, but it's no surprise that employees are struggling to bring attention to it.