Amazon is pushing to regain its lobbying privileges with the European Parliament after they were revoked earlier this year due to the company’s lack of cooperation with lawmakers. However, European Parliament lawmakers have outlined strict requirements before any access restrictions are lifted.
According to sources close to the matter, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on the Employment Committee (EMPL) have decided that Amazon must first attend a formal hearing and organize a visit to one of its European fulfillment centers before the Parliament will consider allowing the tech giant’s lobbyists back into the building. The decision to restore Amazon’s access will not be automatic, sources told Euronews.
In recent years, Amazon has twice declined invitations from the EMPL committee to discuss working conditions in its European facilities, once in May 2021 and again in January 2024. Additionally, planned visits to Amazon sites in Poland and Germany in December 2023 were canceled. As a result, the committee decided to revoke the access badges of Amazon’s 14 lobbyists, a decision that was backed by more than 30 trade unions across Europe.
On October 10, Amazon’s Director of EU Public Policy, James Waterworth, sent a letter to Li Andersson, chair of the EMPL, reaffirming the company’s willingness to engage with the committee and reiterating its offer to host a visit to its facilities. A company spokesperson also emphasized that Amazon is committed to resolving concerns and continuing a constructive dialogue with European lawmakers.
“We want to reassure both our customers and policymakers that we are dedicated to addressing committee members’ concerns and finding a way forward,” the spokesperson stated. “We hope to continue our long-standing engagement with MEPs, which has been ongoing for over 25 years.”
In response to the committee’s decision, Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa, praised the clear conditions set by the EU lawmakers. “It is vital that any dialogue with Amazon includes workers’ representatives and trade unions to ensure a full understanding of the situation in Amazon’s warehouses,” Roethig said.
French MEP Leïla Chaibi, from The Left group, expressed skepticism about Amazon’s intentions. “We have proof that Amazon only responds to sanctions. We will continue to hold them accountable, and when their representatives finally appear before our committee, we will ask the tough questions. Our visit to their facilities will be on our terms, without interference,” Chaibi said.