Members of the European Parliament's employment committee are urging the revocation of Amazon's lobbyists' access badges to the European Parliament building until the tech giant engages in genuine dialogue with the institution. The letter, seen by Euractiv, outlines Amazon's repeated refusal to participate in Employment & Social Affairs Committee hearings. The incidents include Amazon's avoidance of a worker's rights hearing, cancellation of an EMPL lawmakers' visit to its facilities, and failure to discuss warehouse working conditions.

The letter asserts that Amazon's behavior disrespects the institution and obstructs democratic scrutiny. Despite the allegations, Amazon maintains its commitment to constructive dialogue and claims to have offered EMPL lawmakers a visit to its facilities. If implemented, the withdrawal of access badges would not affect Amazon's presence in the Transparency Register but would restrict its entry to Parliament buildings.

In response, an Amazon spokesperson reiterated the company's commitment to engaging with the Committee. The letter is expected to be forwarded to the Parliament's president, Roberta Metsola, soon.

Why does it matter?

The potential revocation of Amazon's lobbyists' access badges to the European Parliament in response to Amazon's perceived obstruction of the committee's efforts to address concerns about labor rights and corporate practices. This matter is part of a broader debate about the influence of tech giants and their responsibility toward societal issues, especially regarding workers' rights and privacy. The European Parliament's stance indicates a willingness to take concrete measures, in this case restricting physical access to its premises, to push for transparency and accountability from powerful corporations like Amazon. If implemented, this action could set a precedent for other regulatory bodies globally, signaling a more assertive approach in dealing with Big Tech companies and ensuring they actively participate in democratic processes and discussions.