“There was hell behind our convenience” Labor Net News

“(The Documentary) covers the harsh working conditions of the delivery workers who support the fabric of our convenient life” The Mainichi

Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC) released an English subtitled version of its documentary film “Amazon DSP Drivers-The Hidden Cost of Free Shipping”.

The Documentary follows the actual day of an Amazon delivery service provider and sheds light on the egregious and dangerous working conditions the workers face. 

Many workers say they do not have time for toilet breaks, much less a decent lunch break. Lunch is on the go, and for some people, toilets are also on the go.

Even if workers get injured during their delivery work, they are only told “it’s OK to go to a hospital after work hours. Please carry on”. Moreover, as these workers are considered by the company as independent contractors, the medical bills have to come out of their pockets. 

No health benefits, no workers’ compensation, no paid leave.

And this is only for a meager pay. According to the workers interviewed, a worker only gets about 67 yen (0.45 USD) per package, after all costs are deducted. To make minimum wage, it would require a worker to deliver a package roughly every 3 minutes. Good luck avoiding traffic jams.

After some of these realities are shown, the film moves on to share the struggles for unionization, and court battles the workers are facing. 

This is a must see for anyone who has relied on online shopping. I suppose that would be most people…

“Amazon DSP Drivers – The Hidden Cost of Free Shipping”

Shopping online has become such a common place. But how much do we know about the workers who make it happen?

Amazon delivery workers (DSP Workers) end up working 12 hours a day, delivering over 200 packges without lunch or toilet breaks. They also bear the risk of injuries and accidents.

In 2022, workers in Yokosuka and Nagasaki stood up and demanded improvements. They were technically considered independent contractors not working under any employment contract. However, work orders were given to them through the apps created by Amazon with little room for self-determination. They thus began making demands to Amazon and their sub-contractors to lessen the work load and to improve other working conditions.

Similar stories are heard not only in Japan. People are standing up to criticize the profit-seeking business models created by bigh tech.

We as consumers and citizens need to stand in solidarity and demand changes for fair labor and a sustainable economy.

Director:
Tokachi Tsuchiya

Producer:
Make Amazon Pay Japan Committee

All rights reserved: Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC)

For DVD purchase:
parc-jp.org/product/amazon/

Please contact PARC for public screening events