In response to the recent ban on Amazon’s representatives in the European Parliament, trade unions have taken a decisive stance, demanding the exclusion of all lobbying organizations affiliated with Amazon. With 14 of Amazon’s employees already restricted from entering the parliament, the unions emphasize the need for comprehensive action to uphold the ban.
Call for Action
Twenty-one prominent organizations, including IndustriAll European Trade Union and LobbyControl, have penned a letter to the European Parliament administration, urging for the prohibition of all entities lobbying on behalf of Amazon. They argue that such a measure is essential to effectively implement the decision made last month to withdraw access badges from Amazon staff.
Transparency Concerns
Citing data from the EU’s transparency register, the letter highlights Amazon’s substantial financial investment in lobbying activities, ranging between €2.1 and €3.1 million in 2023 alone. Notable consultancies enlisted by Amazon for lobbying purposes in 2023 included FleishmanHillard, FTI Consulting, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, and Deloitte.
Political Standoff
The letter proposes a practical implication: MEPs should decline meetings with any organizations representing Amazon or its interests. This stance reinforces the union’s position that engaging with Amazon-affiliated lobbyists undermines the parliamentarians’ capacity to advocate for European citizens’ interests and address potential violations of EU treaties and labor laws.
Amazon’s Response and Conditions for Reversal
Amazon’s reaction to the ban expressed disappointment, with the company reiterating its willingness to engage with lawmakers. However, the unions stress that the ban should only be lifted if Amazon agrees to participate in a hearing on working conditions and allows visits from the EMPL Committee and workers’ representatives to its warehouses in Poland and Germany.
SOURCE: Ref Image from POLITICO.eu
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