Amazon Acts on German Controversy

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     This article discusses how Amazon has ended their ties with a German security firm.  This is because there were claims of the guards who oversaw the temporary immigrant workers at the Amazon center in Germany of intimidating and harassing the workers.  These claims were brought to light after ARD, a German public-television broadcaster aired a documentary on the working conditions of thousands of temporary workers from different European countries.  These temporary workers were hired by Amazon to work in its German distribution centers during the Christmas rush.
     An interesting fact mentioned in the article was that the security guards wore clothing from Thor Steinar, a brand that is known to be popular with in Germany's neo-Nazi community.  This brand is actually banned from Germany's Parliament and other government buildings.  Amazon stopped selling the brand a few years back.
     I am glad that the documentary took place and this issue was brought to the public's attention.  If the documentary did not take place then these working conditions could still be taking place.  It is unfortunate though that it took this film to happen for the issue to be recognized and put a stop to it.  There are a few people at fault.  Amazon would be the number one at fault.  Amazon needs to have a better grasp on who they hire and what is taking place in their facilities.  I do hope that Amazon really had no idea of what was taking place and they did not put a blind eye to the problem.  If it comes out that they were aware of the conditions then their business will suffer.  The public has no tolerance for that.  I also blame the security guard company.  They need to have a better code of conduct in place so all employees know what is expected and that there be consequences for actions not aligned with the company's policy.
     I hope this article and documentary have opened other company's eyes to their own workforce conditions and they can put and end to any actions that are negative.

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