Washington, D.C. — December 16, 2024 – A Senate investigation has revealed that Amazon repeatedly ignored warnings from federal regulators and its own employees about unsafe productivity quotas that have led to widespread worker injuries. The findings were disclosed in a report released Monday by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
The investigation, spearheaded by committee chair Senator Bernie Sanders, outlines a troubling pattern of disregard for worker safety. It alleges that Amazon’s high-pressure work environment—driven by relentless productivity quotas—has caused injury rates at its warehouses to soar well above industry averages.
“Amazon’s obsession with speed and efficiency is causing a humanitarian crisis in its warehouses,” Senator Sanders said during a press briefing. “The company has ignored explicit warnings from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), prioritizing profits over the health and well-being of its workers.”
Alarming Findings
The Senate report cites numerous internal documents and worker testimonials showing Amazon’s awareness of the risks posed by its productivity targets. Among the key findings:
Skyrocketing Injury Rates: Amazon warehouse workers face injury rates nearly twice the industry average, with repetitive motion injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and stress-related ailments among the most common.
Ignored Warnings: Federal regulators repeatedly urged Amazon to address unsafe working conditions, but the company failed to act on these recommendations.
Worker Testimonies: Employees described extreme physical demands, including scanning hundreds of items per hour, with some reporting that they avoided restroom breaks to meet quotas.
One former worker from an Amazon fulfillment center in California testified anonymously, saying, “We were told to ‘move faster or get out.’ They didn’t care about injuries; they only cared about numbers.”
Amazon’s Response
In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company takes worker safety “very seriously” and has made “significant investments in workplace safety programs.” Nantel emphasized that Amazon continues to work closely with regulators and experts to “reduce injuries and improve workplace conditions.”
However, the company rejected the Senate report’s characterization, calling it “misleading” and accusing lawmakers of overlooking the progress Amazon has made in enhancing ergonomics and automation to alleviate physical strain on workers.
Legislative Action Looming
The Senate panel’s findings have prompted calls for stricter federal oversight of corporate labor practices. Senator Sanders has vowed to introduce legislation aimed at banning exploitative productivity quotas and mandating comprehensive workplace safety reforms.
“The American people cannot allow one of the wealthiest companies in the world to treat its workers as disposable tools,” Sanders said.
Labor advocates welcomed the report as a step toward accountability. “Amazon’s practices set a dangerous precedent for the future of work,” said Rebecca Dixon, executive director of the National Employment Law Project. “This report shows that we need stronger protections to prevent corporations from prioritizing speed and profit over human lives.”
The Senate HELP Committee plans to hold further hearings on the issue early next year, raising the stakes for Amazon and its labor practices in the face of growing public and political scrutiny.
