Reports of extreme conditions at Manesar warehouse amid intense heatwave spark concern
In Short:
- Workers allegedly forced to pledge to skip breaks to hit targets.
- Reports of fainting and minimal rest during intense heat.
- Frequent reminders of high targets for both inbound and outbound teams.
- Female workers face additional hardships due to inadequate facilities.
Amid a blistering heatwave, Amazon workers at the Manesar warehouse in Haryana are reportedly enduring severe working conditions. Allegations have emerged that employees are being compelled to take an “oath” to forgo toilet and water breaks until their targets are met. According to a report in the Indian Express, a 24-year-old worker, earning Rs 10,088 a month for 10-hour shifts over five days a week, revealed, “Even if we work without any breaks, including the 30-minute lunch and tea breaks, we can’t unload more than four trucks a day. Just two days ago, we pledged to forgo water and washroom breaks to improve performance and meet the target.”
An anonymous worker described an incident on May 16, where employees were allegedly instructed to work non-stop to meet the target of unloading packages from six 24-foot trucks.
The report highlights that over the past month, the "inbound team" has taken this pledge about eight times, particularly on the busiest days. The "outbound team," which has taken the pledge once, receives daily reminders of their targets. The outbound team handles shipments leaving the warehouse, while the inbound team deals with incoming goods.
A male worker recounted several instances of colleagues fainting from the intense heat, only to be given a paracetamol tablet and instructed to resume work after a brief 10-15 minute rest. Workers handling trucks face especially harsh conditions. “The trailers sit in the sun for two to three hours, making the interiors scorching hot. Yet we’re still expected to unload them in just five minutes,” he explained.
The conditions are particularly harsh for female workers. One woman reported the absence of restroom facilities: “If we are unwell, the only option is to go to the washroom or locker room. There is a sick room with a bed, but workers are asked to leave after 10 minutes. I stand for nine hours a day and am supposed to process 60 small products or 40 medium-sized products every hour.”
Her department also took the pledge: “Repeat after me, we will attain the target, we won’t go to the washroom, we will not drink,” she recited. Female workers who tried to rest in the bathrooms were reportedly sought out by managers. “The designated break rooms are small and unbearably hot, so many female workers end up resting in the bathrooms during their breaks. However, managers come searching for us if they feel that we have stayed too long, pressuring us to return to work,” she said.
In response to these allegations, an Amazon India spokesperson stated, “We’re investigating these claims, but to be clear, we’d never make these kinds of requests of our employees as part of standard business practice. If we discovered an incident such as the one alleged, we’d immediately put a stop to it and ensure the manager involved was re-trained on our expectations of team support, health, and safety. We’ll continue to investigate.”
In a statement to The Independent, Amazon emphasized its commitment to employee safety and well-being. “All Amazon sites have been equipped with heat index devices that constantly monitor changes in temperature,” the company said. “If the heat or humidity rises, we take steps to ensure comfortable working conditions, including sometimes stopping work temporarily. Our buildings have cooling systems like ventilation, fans, and spot coolers. We provide plenty of water and hydration, regular rest breaks in cooler areas, and extra breaks when it’s hot. Employees can take informal breaks anytime during their shifts to use the restroom, get water, or talk to a manager or HR.”