Amazon is expected to appear before the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee at the end of June. This hearing is part of efforts to restore the company’s access badges to the Parliament, which were suspended earlier this year. The badges were revoked in February 2024 after Amazon repeatedly missed hearings and site visits related to workers’ rights in 2021 and 2023.
The European Parliament’s committee will finalize the hearing date and confirm the speakers in early June. Attending this hearing is required for Amazon to regain access to the Parliament buildings.
Amazon lost its access badges after failing to attend two official hearings in May 2021 and January 2024. The company also cancelled site visits to fulfilment centres in Germany and Poland in late 2023. The Parliament set conditions for restoring access, including a formal hearing and hosting a delegation of members at an Amazon fulfilment centre.
Amazon said it takes its obligations to EU institutions seriously and supports fair reviews of its operations. It noted the need for industry-wide investigations, not just company-specific scrutiny.
The upcoming hearing will be a crucial test of Amazon’s cooperation with European lawmakers. Whether the company regains its access badges depends on how it responds to Parliament’s demands in the coming weeks.
Concerns about workers’ rights at Amazon’s fulfilment centres have been raised by unions and members of the European Parliament. These concerns include workplace safety, wages, and working conditions. The Parliament’s actions reflect its commitment to ensuring accountability from large companies operating in Europe.
Amazon employs over 150,000 people across the EU, making these labour issues significant for the region.
This hearing will shape the future of Amazon’s relationship with the European Parliament and may influence how other tech companies are held accountable in Europe.
