Global Protests Mark Black Friday Strikes Against Amazon

Amazon workers and their supporters mobilized globally on Black Friday, November 28, 2025, to protest against the company’s labor practices. Demonstrators in various countries voiced their opposition to what they describe as Amazon’s exploitation of workers, aggressive union-busting tactics, environmental damage, and plans to automate jobs extensively.

Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global Union, articulated the sentiment during the protests, stating, “Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and their political allies are betting on a techno-authoritarian future, but this Make Amazon Pay Day, workers everywhere are saying: enough.” The protests aimed to underscore the growing discontent with Amazon’s labor model, which many argue exacerbates inequality and undermines workers’ rights to organize and advocate for safe workplaces.

The impact of the strikes was felt from Germany to Bangladesh, with thousands of employees walking off the job to demand improved wages, working conditions, and stronger union protections. Last month, Amazon reported over $21 billion in profits for the third quarter of 2025, a staggering 38% increase compared to the previous year. This financial success has heightened tensions, as many workers feel their struggles are ignored amidst the company’s profitability.

In India, Neha Singh, an Amazon employee from Manesar, expressed the dire conditions faced by workers: “During the heatwaves, the warehouse feels like a furnace — people faint, but the targets never stop. Even if we fainted, we couldn’t take a day off and go home. If we took that day off, our pay would be cut, and if we took three days off, they would fire us. Amazon treats us as expendable.” Singh emphasized the need for fundamental rights, stating, “We are joining Make Amazon Pay to demand the most basic rights: safety, dignity, and the chance to go home alive.”

Largest Global Mobilization Against Amazon

The recent strikes represent the largest collective action against Amazon to date, marking the sixth consecutive year of global protests organized by the Make Amazon Pay alliance. This coalition includes labor unions and advocacy groups dedicated to challenging Amazon’s business practices. The strike in Germany was particularly notable, with around 3,000 workers participating, making it the largest in Amazon’s history in that country.

In the United States, the union representing Amazon workers expressed solidarity with their German counterparts through social media, highlighting their shared struggle. The Amazon Teamsters posted, “To the long-time strikers – you’ve been inspiring the global Amazon worker movement for over a decade.” This sentiment reflects a growing sense of unity among Amazon workers across different regions.

Progressive International, a key member of the Make Amazon Pay alliance, stated, “Across the world, Amazon workers are walking off the job, marching through their cities, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with communities to demand what every worker deserves: fair wages, safe conditions, the right to organize — and a future not dictated by algorithms and billionaires.” The organization also warned that the struggle extends beyond a single corporation, characterizing Amazon as part of a larger “techno-authoritarian order” that merges the influence of Big Tech with extreme political ideologies.

The protests have highlighted the need for a broader labor movement capable of addressing systemic issues related to corporate power and worker rights. Organizers envision a future where supply chains become sites of resistance, linking warehouse workers with those in tech, garment, and other industries, as well as migrant and Indigenous communities.

As the global labor movement continues to gain momentum, the actions taken on Black Friday serve as a critical reminder of the challenges many workers face in the modern economy and their determination to fight for equitable treatment.