Amazon keeping French centre closed until May 5 amid legal fight
An Amazon distribution centre at the heart of a French legal dispute about worker safety amid the coronavirus crisis will remain closed until May 5 while the courts process the matter, the company said on Monday.
Workers will be able to stay home with full pay.
An appeals court had on Friday ruled that the centre could not process certain items until it improved the quality of the face masks it distributes to employees. In doing so, it upheld a lower court ruling.
Amazon disagrees with the finding.
“Our distribution centres in France and in the whole world are safe,” it said.
The court order only allows Amazon to process orders for information technology hardware, products for animals, hygienic and medical products and food. The court has threatened a fine of 100,000 euros (108,300 dollars) per violation.
Amazon has also been ordered to perform a risk assessment with employee representatives and to implement all required health and safety regulations.
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The formulation of the ruling means that Amazon could face fines of up to 1 billion euros per week if it deviated from the rules about which items it is allowed to process in France.
The initial case against Amazon was brought by the labour group Union Syndicale Solidaires. (dpa)
