Amazon increases fulfilment workers pay

Amazon which has been lambasted over the past year for the small amount of corporation tax it pays, as well as the demands placed on its low paid fulfilment centre employees, has responded with an announcement that it will improve conditions for its workforce. The online retailer will introduce as new minimum hourly rate for employees of £9.50 an hour from November 1st however it also plans to shelve productivity bonuses and its issue of shares in the business to instead offer cash bonuses to long-term employees. The latter will take the form of a lump sum for those reaching five years service, with further lump sums for those with ten or fifteen years service.