Hundreds of Amazon workers took to the streets across the US and Europe this Black Friday to call for better work conditions and higher wages amid the busiest shopping days of the year.
The UNI Global Union, the coordinator for the "Make Amazon Pay" campaign, said strikes are happening in more than 30 countries and are expected to last until Cyber Monday.
Many are calling for a £15 ($18.90) per hour rate.
Members of GMB Union in the UK said more than 1,000 staff joined the call on Friday with 800 on the picket lines.
The union said this year's Black Friday protest is the biggest Amazon strike to date.
Amazon assured its customers that the strike will not affect its Black Friday operations and that the online retailer regularly reviews its pay to "ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits".
Also Read: Amazon Conducts Another Round of Layoffs Affecting Alexa Employees
What is the 'Make Amazon Pay' Campaign
The Black Friday 2023 strike marks the fourth consecutive year Amazon employees protested for the "Make Amazon Pay" campaign since it was launched during the pandemic.
Aimed to make Amazon improve its working conditions, the global movement calls for increased pay, longer breaks, more benefits, and additional sick leave.
Several environmental and civil groups have also joined the protest to urge the e-commerce giant to lessen its carbon emissions and pay more in taxes.
Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global Union, said Amazon staff worldwide are "all united in the fight for higher wages, an end to unreasonable quotas, and a voice on the job."
The UNI Global Union boasts 20 million members across service centers in 150 counties.
Related Article: Amazon's Speed and Surveillance Ambitions Lead to Higher Injuries, Study Says
Amazon Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The Thanksgiving shopping event is one of Amazon's busiest working days with customers from all over the world ordering for discounted prices.
Last year's Black Friday sales recorded 88 million Americans shopping online, 9% up in the average order value.
This year, 130.7 million people planned to participate in the Black Friday event, and many are expected to do their shopping online.
