Amazon has come under fire for the working conditions at its Dunfermline warehouse in Scotland.

Approximately 1,500 permanent staff work at the Dunfermline site, with more than 4,000 seasonal jobs created to deal with the peak demand over the festive period.

The claims against Amazon’s work practices include:

• Worker’s pay is so low that some workers have resorted to camping near the warehouse in freezing temperatures to reduce their commuting costs. Private companies do provide buses for workers to get to the site, but bus fares cost up to £10 per day.
• Temporary workers are put under pressure to hit targets for picking orders and are penalised for taking any sick days.
• Even though workers may have to walk up to 10 miles a day undertaking their duties, water dispensers were frequently empty.

Amazon has dismissed the allegations made against them, saying that it provides a safe and positive workplace.

The Scottish Liberal Democratic leader, Willie Rennie, said “It’s time for Amazon to finally change their ways. That means a change to wages and to working conditions.”

Businesses’ working practices have been firmly in the spotlight this year with Sports Direct, Asos and Hermes all facing condemnation and intense scrutiny.