Under Corona pressure … Amazon extends its closings in France

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, said Monday that it plans to extend the closure of its distribution centers in France until May 8.

The US company’s six distribution centers have been closed since April 16, after a court ruling ordering them to restrict distribution of their products during the Covid-19 pandemic or face massive fines.

“Unfortunately, this means that we are considering temporarily suspending activity at our distribution centers until the end of May 8,” Amazon said, adding that it was still reviewing how to operate under the court ruling.

And Amazon added in a statement that its warehouses in France and the world are safe, and that it is still serving its customers in France through its international supply network.

Amazon said it will meet with worker representatives on Tuesday and will propose that the warehouses remain closed until May 8, while it will continue to study the court’s decision. Warehouse workers will receive their full salary.

Amazon closed its warehouses in France last month after a French court imposed restrictions on products that Amazon could deliver to customers until the company improves health and safety conditions in the face of the emerging Corona virus.

While demand for Amazon services has increased, it warned last week of the sharp rise in the cost of labor in light of the epidemic’s spread, and you may need to spend an additional $ 4 billion.

While worker protection factors in the United States are relatively weak, Amazon also faces workplace complaints in Europe.

Amazon workers in Italy are on strike, while a French court has issued a decision to suspend some Amazon activities until the safety and security factors for workers are improved.

French rejected

For its part, the French Ministry of Labor refused to include workers from the American e-commerce giant Amazon in the program to support the wages of workers in private companies affected by the repercussions of the pandemic of the emerging coronavirus (Covid- 19).

The French Labor Ministry said it rejected Amazon’s request because the warehouses were closed by court order, while the wage subsidy program aims to help companies deal with the loss or cessation of their activities due to the pandemic. .

It is noteworthy that the salary support program contributes up to 90% of the salaries of the workers of companies whose working hours have been reduced or have been granted a temporary permit due to the repercussions of the pandemic.

Some 11.7 million workers in France joined the government’s compensation program as a result of reducing their working hours or granting them a temporary permit due to Corona.

French rules

The French government has published new rules for companies to prepare for the resumption of their activity in accordance with established health controls and procedures.

In accordance with the new rules, schools or companies must ensure that there is a minimum of 4 square meters for each student or worker.

At the same time, the new rules do not include requiring students or workers to wear masks or measure their temperature before entering a school or workplace.

The new rules also do not allow a test to detect emerging coronavirus infection.