Amazon To Hire 100,000 Additional Workers and Increases Hourly Pay to Assist Those in Need

With the increasing likelihood that more people will have to work from home or are unable to leave their homes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Amazon is hiring more workers to assist with their famed delivery services. They have announced a plan to hire more people as well as open 100,000 new roles to support people relying on Amazon’s service in this stressful time.

Amazon says in a statement, “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Amazon and our network of partners are helping communities around the world in a way that very few can—delivering critical supplies directly to the doorsteps of people who need them. Getting a priority item to your doorstep is vital as communities practice social-distancing, particularly for the elderly and others with underlying health issues. We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year.”

In addition to the more than 100,000 additional new jobs Amazon is creating worldwide, they will be paying an additional $2 per hour for hours worked through the month of April from their current rate of $15 per hour or more, depending on the part of the country. The additional rate of £2 per hour will apply in the UK and approximately €2 per hour in many other EU countries. This commitment to the increased hourly pay through the end of April represents an investment of over $350 million in increased compensation for hourly employees across the U.S., Europe, and Canada. The increased income will apply to the employees and partners who are in fulfillment centers, transportation operations, stores or those making deliveries so that others can remain at home.

Amazon has also made an offer to people who are unable to work due to the restrictions placed in certain areas. “We also know many people have been economically impacted as jobs in areas like hospitality, restaurants, and travel are lost or furloughed as part of this crisis. 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 company is also reassuring people that they are taking the necessary precaution and steps to ensure the health and safety of their workers are being considered.

“Health and safety are a top priority with all of our roles and sites. We continue to consult with medical and health experts, and take all recommended precautions in our buildings and stores to keep people healthy. We’ve taken measures to promote social distancing in the workplace and taken on enhanced and frequent cleaning, to name just a few.”