[9387367]

Your comment belongs to some sort of dystopian fiction, but it’s sort of real as Amazon uses third parties so the blame doesn’t really ‘lies’ with Amazon, sickening.

> BERLIN — The workers came from across Europe to pack boxes for the online retailer Amazon at distribution centers in Germany during the Christmas rush. They did not expect to be watched over — some say intimidated — by thugs in neo-Nazi-style clothing and jackboots.

> On Friday, Amazon said it was investigating claims made in a documentary that a subcontractor employed security guards with neo-Nazi ties to oversee the immigrant workers. > The documentary, broadcast Wednesday on the ARD public television network, showed guards in black uniforms with H.E.S.S., after Hensel European Security Services, but also the last name of Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess, emblazoned on their chests.

> According to the film, security guards employed by the subcontractor scared and intimidated hundreds of temporary workers from Hungary, Poland, Spain and other European countries.

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/16/world/europe/amazon-to-in...

[krageon]

The worst thing about telling people about why they should boycott Amazon IRL is that they just don't believe it. It sounds so outlandish that even with proof (such as this newspaper article) you can tell it doesn't really land. Very sad.

[s1artibartfast]

Can confirm, I just don't 'believe' it. I do not think that Amazon was knowingly employing neo-nazis.

[krageon]

They benefited hugely from this and I have to this day not seen a public commitment to change things to make sure this does not happen. Even if Amazon was unaware of what they were doing, the fact that afterwards they mostly just papered over it and went on with their lives lends it a tacit approval ("don't get caught again"). If you don't see how this makes them evil, I think we just will never agree on it :)

[s1artibartfast]

How did they benefit in any way? ( I read the article but didn't watch the documentary).

It sounds like they needed security guards, and the firm they hired turned out to be one that liked to play fascist dress-up.

Did they benefit more than if they had hired normal security?

[krageon]

The firm kept slaves (took passports, no pay, etc) to do the work in the warehouses that were guarded. Free labour is very cheap, that would be how they benefited.