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The Conversation
The Conversation
David Spencer, Professor of Economics and Political Economy, University of Leeds

Amazon still seems hell bent on turning workers into robots – here's a better way forward

Workers at Amazon fulfilment centres are under enormous pressure. Robert Melen/Alamy

The strikes by hundreds of Amazon workers at the company’s Coventry warehouse in the English Midlands have brought into relief some of the problems of work in today’s high-tech society.

While primarily focused on pay, the workers are pushing back against long hours and an automated surveillance system that times how long they take to do each task, as well as going to the toilet. It all contributes to a high pressure and intensive work environment – plus more accidents.

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