As Amazon gets ready for one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, employees in India have joined a walkout demanding better pay and working conditions.

About 200 warehouse workers and delivery drivers rallied in the capital, New Delhi, under a Make Amazon Pay banner. Some donned masks of Amazon chief Jeff Bezos and joined hands against the Seattle-based company's practices.

At Amazon facilities abroad, the Black Friday walkout, which kicks off one of the largest shopping weekends of the year, was replicated as employees demanded greater pay, better working conditions, and union rights.

“Our basic salary is 10,000 rupees ($120), which should be at least 25,000 rupees ($295).And the environment there is to work under pressure" saysManish Kumar, 25, a warehouse worker who joined the New Dehli protest.

Nitesh Das, a union leader, says the workers took to the streets because they wanted the government to take up their cause.

Amazon accused the workers of "intentionally misleading and continuing to promote a false narrative."

“Our facilities are industry-leading and provide competitive pay, comfortable working conditions, and specially designed infrastructure to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all,” as per the company.

Amazon India Workers Union said similar protests are planned in other parts of India and in other countries, including the United States, Germany, Japan, and Brazil. The demonstrations will call on Amazon to pay its workers fairly, respect their right to join unions, and commit to environmental sustainability,

Due to India's rapid economic growth, the gig economy has grown significantly, yet workers still endure subpar pay and challenging working circumstances.

In June 2023, Amazon received a notification from India's National Human Rights Commission following local media claims that workers were being forced to labour during the sweltering summer months without breaks. Amazon India refuted the accusation.