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Muslim Workers at Amazon File Federal Discrimination

Muslim Workers at Amazon File Federal Discrimination

Amazon
Amazon.com warehouse and fulfillment center in Shakopee, Minnesota. Photo via Flickr by Tony Webster https://www.flickr.com/photos/diversey/

Amazon is being accused again of violating workers rights. This time, three Muslim Somali women who work at an Amazon warehouse outside Minneapolis  have filed a federal discrimination complaint against the company, alleging they faced retaliation from managers after protesting work conditions.

“The women say Amazon violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to accommodate their religious needs, prioritizing white employees for promotions and retaliating against workers who participated in a rally protesting work conditions,” The Huffington Post reported.

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The women working said were afraid to take time off from work to pray and when they did they faced being issued “write-ups” (disciplinary citations) that could cause them to be fired, according to a letter included in the complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Beyond that, the letter also claimed that “Amazon failed to promote Muslim Somali and East African workers, instead promoting white workers as well as giving them better assignments,” Gizmodo reported.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “Diversity and inclusion is central to our business and company culture, and associates can pray whenever they choose. Prayer breaks less than 20 minutes are paid, and associates are welcome to request an unpaid prayer break for over 20 minutes for which productivity expectations would be adjusted. We encourage anyone to compare Amazon’s pay, benefits, and workplace to other retailers, and to come take a tour and see firsthand.”