COVID-19 Fallout: Amazon Chief’s Wealth Soars By Billions, But Employees Suffer Work Hazards

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos at an event

Even as economies are stuttering and countries are struggling to balance lives and livelihood in the grim battle against COVID-19, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has recorded an increase of $24 billion in his wealth.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Bezos is the world’s richest man with $138 billion of wealth at present.

Since the demand for online shopping has also spiked during the lockdown, Amazon’s stock surged 5.3 per cent on Tuesday.

While the e-commerce giant is supplying essentials to people forced to stay at home, the company’s employees have been complaining about the loopholes in workplace safety against the novel coronavirus.

According to The Washington Post, Amazon has fired two employees for protesting against the company’s climate policies and the unsafe conditions in its warehouses during the pandemic.

In the US, the virus has infected workers in at least 74 Amazon warehouses till now. The employees, however, don’t have any option, but to continue working and risk their lives to ensure their livelihood during this tough time,.