Richard Parks Amazon is scheduled to face a key hearing before the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL) in late June. This hearing is a critical step for the tech giant to potentially regain access to parliamentary buildings, following a suspension over concerns about its labor practices in Europe.
Background: EU Parliament Suspends Amazon Access
In February 2024, the European Parliament revoked 14 long-term access badges from Amazon. This action followed repeated absences by Amazon representatives at scheduled hearings and cancelled site visits focused on examining the company’s labor conditions across the EU. The EMPL committee formally called for the suspension after Amazon declined to attend important hearings on workers’ rights in 2021 and 2023.
Upcoming Hearing: Details and Expectations
The EMPL committee is expected to finalize the hearing date and confirm speakers in early June. Amazon will use this opportunity to present its defense regarding its treatment of over 150,000 EU-based employees. This hearing is crucial for the company to demonstrate cooperation and transparency to regain trust and access.
Amazon’s Previous Declines Heighten Tensions
Amazon declined invitations to hearings in May 2021 and January 2024, both held by the European Parliament. Moreover, planned visits by Members of the European Parliament to Amazon warehouses in Poland and Germany were cancelled in December 2023. These refusals have increased scrutiny and strained relations with EU lawmakers.
Amazon’s Response: Welcoming Oversight, Urging Fact-Based Review
Amazon has previously stated its support for oversight and industry-wide scrutiny. The company emphasized the need for factual discussions rather than political debates. A spokesperson said, “A company like ours—with over 150,000 employees in the EU—should be scrutinised. But scrutiny should focus on facts, not political points.”
Parliament’s Conditions for Restoring Access
The European Parliament insists that Amazon must engage in open and transparent dialogue about its labor practices and cooperate fully with EU institutions. Until these conditions are met, Amazon’s access to EU parliamentary premises remains suspended.