World News for Students of English

03-12-2021 15:00

On Black Friday Climate activists blocked 13 Amazon fulfillment centers in the UK with the goal to disrupt the company’s deliveries.

Black Friday sales day is among Amazon’s busiest all year, and according to campaigners, the company is abusing its dominance across online selling and online services to create unfair competition. Reportedly, Amazon workers face unsafe conditions, constant surveillance, and work treats them like robots. According to reports, ambulance callouts to Amazon warehouses increased by nearly 50% in the days before Black Friday. Campaigners demand Amazon to pay fairly, use fair taxes, and take responsibility for its impact on the planet.

Amazon reported a tripling of profits earlier this year, given to its success during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, protesters said that the model of endless growth was broken, and it needed to change.

Difficult words: climate activist (a person who wants to help the environment and protests or does other activities to help), dominance (power and influence over others), surveillance (close observation).

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