California State Governor Gavin Newsom this week signed into law the AB 701 bill, which aims to improve working conditions for warehouse workers. This law, which will come into force on 1 January, does not make specific mention of Amazon but sets its sights on the e-commerce giant’s algorithm and productivity targets. The bill requires businesses to disclose productivity targets set for each individual and, if these targets are untenable, employees can sue the company.
With this bill, California is the first US state to attempt to regulate the infernal pace of warehouse work. “We cannot allow corporations to put profit over people,” State Governor Gavin Newsom – of the Democratic Party – says. Meanwhile Lorena Gonzalez, the California assemblywoman who sponsored the bill, took direct aim at Amazon, saying the group’s business model relies on “enforcing inhumane work speeds”.
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