Amazon says it plans to hire 100,000 new workers for warehouses and delivery service in the US. As more people turn to online shopping for supplies as they’re isolated at home because of the coronavirus outbreak. Those positions include both full- and part-time jobs to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service. During this stressful time particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public. Amazon’s hiring comes at a time when many companies forced to cut jobs. And pay as travel and events grind to a halt in hopes of limiting social contact and slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Amazon is already the second-largest U.S. based employer behind Walmart, with 800,000 workers worldwide.
By the end of April month, the company will raise pay for these employees. By $2 per hour in the U.S., £2 per hour in the UK, and approximately €2 per hour in many European countries. Amazon currently pays $15 per hour or more in some areas of the U.S. for warehouse and delivery jobs.
Impact of Coronavirus
Amazon also encouraged employees in other industries whose jobs were “lost or furloughed” as a result of the coronavirus to apply. Including members of the hospitality, restaurant and travel industries. Amazon also said that “We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal. And their past employer is able to bring them back”.
The decision comes by Amazon, as the coronavirus outbreak has continued to worsen. There were more than 181,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus globally, and at least 7,113 deaths. There were at least 4,281 cases of the virus in the U.S. and at least 74 deaths till now. Amazon’s headcount fluctuates seasonally, peaking for the holiday quarter at 798,000 full and part-time workers. It was not immediately clear how many people Amazon would employ after it hires 100,000.
AMAZON TO HIRE 100,000 WAREHOUSE AND DELIVERY WORKERS AMID CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWNS – WSJ
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Amazon also has taken extra precautions at fulfillment centers. Increasing the frequency and intensity of cleaning at all of its sites and requiring that employees sanitize. And clean their work stations and vehicles at the start and end of every shift.