Protests Erupt Across Australia Against Amazon’s Business Practices
In a concerted effort to challenge the perceived detrimental impacts of Amazon on Australian employment and enterprises, South Australians are participating in a nationwide strike orchestrated by the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU), the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), and the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA).
This morning, demonstrators assembled outside the Amazon warehouse and delivery facility in Cavan, Adelaide. Similar protests were observed across Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.
The primary action unfolded outside the Amazon Fulfilment Centre in Kemps Creek, New South Wales, drawing the attention of various unions.
Union representatives are vociferously demanding that Amazon adhere to principles of fair compensation, fulfill their tax obligations, compensate for the creative content utilized in AI training, halt excessive monitoring of workers, and acknowledge the rights of employees to have representation through their unions.
Founded in 1994, the American e-commerce titan established its first Australian distribution hub in Cavan in 2021.
Michael Kaine, national secretary of the TWU, disclosed to InDaily that an array of transport personnel—including those employed in Amazon warehouses, retail workers, and creatives—are participating in the protest aimed at safeguarding Australian jobs and businesses from perceived loss.
“While many of us have grown accustomed to the conveniences offered by Amazon, including the allure of free delivery, today’s protests across the nation serve to illuminate the exploitation and devastation that Amazon is inflicting on reputable Australian enterprises and the workforce,” Kaine stated.
Although Kaine did not specify instances of Amazon undermining Australian businesses, he noted that over the past year, numerous transport companies have gone into liquidation.
According to data from ASIC and CreditorWatch, 733 transportation, postal, and warehousing firms faced insolvency for the first time in the 2025 financial year, marking a staggering 48% increase from 2024.
Gerard Dwyer, national secretary of the SDA, asserted that the union’s conflicts with Amazon fundamentally revolve around the quest for worker representation.
“Amazon seeks to maintain uninterrupted algorithmic operations, which leads to the suppression of worker voices. Essentially, they aim to treat their workforce as if they were mere automatons,” he remarked.
“When companies evade their tax responsibilities, infringe upon workers’ rights, and meticulously monitor every aspect of employees’ labor, they should not reap rewards funded by public money. Upholding ethical practices ought to be a foundational expectation in any business transaction with the Australian populace.”
Erin Madeley, chief executive of the MEAA, articulated that Amazon, alongside other major AI developers, has “trained its AI on the backs of the expropriated efforts of Australia’s creative and media workforce.”
“Members of the MEAA are vocally denouncing this appropriation and are demanding compensation whenever their work is employed by AI,” she exclaimed.
“It is insufficient merely to ensure producers benefit when their creations are utilized by companies like Amazon; creative and media workers must receive direct remuneration for every instance of their work’s utilization.”
The protest marks a response to Labor’s decision to deny a copyright exemption for AI corporations, as recommended by the Productivity Commission in August, amidst backlash from the creative community.
Australia’s Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, assured ABC Radio that “this government will not weaken the existing laws regarding artificial intelligence.”
Since opening its first distribution center in Cavan in 2021, Amazon has asserted that it would bolster the local economy through job creation and cater to growing consumer demands.
“We take pride in contributing to the local economy by generating jobs and providing flexible earning opportunities for residents,” Amazon stated, expressing its eagerness to actively engage with the community.
“The establishment of our Amazon Logistics site in Cavan enhances the delivery experience for customers, particularly as we approach the festive season.”
An Amazon spokesperson characterized the allegations as “without merit.”
“We are proud to support quality employment in Australia, employing approximately 7,000 individuals across diverse roles while nurturing hundreds of thousands of small businesses globally,” the spokesperson declared.
Our compensation packages and benefits are highly competitive, and our fulfillment centers offer modern and secure working conditions, which can be observed through facility tours. We adhere to all tax obligations in Australia.
Corporate taxes are predicated on profits rather than revenues, and we persist in making substantial investments in Australian infrastructure and employment.
Our projected investment totaling AU$5 billion in 2024, alongside AWS’s recent AU$20 billion investment announcement, will foster job creation, enhance AI capabilities, and yield other economic and societal advantages.
Source link: Indailysa.com.au.
