Amazon announces plan to hire 100,000 new employees in US, Canada

The American e-commerce tech firm, Amazon, has announced that it will hire 100,000 new full and part-time employees across the US and Canada.

The Seattle-based company on September 14, 2020, stated that the plan was necessary to expand its operations, cashing in on a time when consumers turn to online shopping amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Amazon said the decision comes on top of 33,000 corporate and technology jobs announced last week.

It offers a starting wage of at least $15 per hour with up to $1,000 in bonuses to new employees in selected cities, including health, vision and dental insurance.

Dave Clark, Amazon Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations, said in a statement, “We are opening 100 buildings this month alone across new fulfillment and sortation centers, delivery stations, and other sites.”

Amazon has long been criticized for putting profit before safety due to accidents, long overtime hours and poor working conditions.

Since the beginning of 2020, Amazon has opened over 75 new fulfillment, sortation centers, regional air hubs, and delivery stations across the US and Canada.

The firm has more than 175 warehouses, known as fulfillment centers, around the world in addition to some 110 operational facilities.