The U.N. special rapporteur* on extreme poverty and human rights on Tuesday called on the CEOs of Amazon, DoorDash and Walmart to address allegations that wages at U.S.-based companies are trapping workers in poverty and forcing them to work Relying on social benefits from the US government to survive.
“I am very concerned that workers at some of the most profitable companies in the world, in one of the richest countries on earth, Having difficulty eating or paying rent“, explained Olivier De Schutter.
Employment is supposed to provide a route out of poverty, but in all three companies the business model appears to be to pass on operating costs to the public.
“Multimillion-dollar companies should set the standard for working conditions and salaries, not vThey violate the human rights of their workers by not paying them fair wages“he added.
State benefits for wage compensation
In separate letters to Amazon CEO Andy Jasey, DoorDash CEO Tony wage guarantees.
As you point out in your recent report on the rise of the working poor, An atypical employment contract is one of the main causes of poverty at work.
The Special Rapporteur referred to a US government report naming these three companies Major employers of recipients of government medical and food aid.
“Employment is supposed to provide a route out of poverty, but in all three companies the business model appears to be to pass on operating costs to the public and use government benefits to supplement pathetically low wages,” he said.
According to information received by De Schutter, this will significantly impact the ability of Amazon and Walmart workers to negotiate higher wages aggressive anti-union activities by their employerswho are spending millions of dollars to counter workers’ efforts to unionize.
“It appears that the United States is turning a blind eye to the union-busting activities of its most powerful companies.” allowing them to overwhelm workers that they accept poverty wages while company revenues skyrocket,” he said.
Right to a living wage and to join a union
The Special Rapporteur wrote to the United States Government detailing the allegations and requesting information on its plans to address widespread in-work poverty in the country.
“Around 6.3 million people are considered working poor in the United States, and the country lags dramatically behind other high-income countries in terms of wage policies, worker protections and association rights,” he said.
“Companies have a responsibility to respect internationally recognized human rights, including the right to a living wage and to join a union without fear of reprisal,” De Schutter said.
“The allegations against Amazon, DoorDash and Walmart would be groundless blatant violations of these rights and it is time for these companies and the United States government to be held accountable,” he said.
The expert demanded answers to his August 31 letters within 60 days. So far only Amazon has provided a response, but it does not fully address all of the concerns raised. There was no response from the U.S. government, DoorDash or Walmart.
*The special rapporteurs are part of the so-called special procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name for the Council’s independent investigative and oversight mechanisms that address specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; They are not UN employees and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of governments or organizations and provide their services individually.
*Olivier De Schutter is Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.