Amazon to create 15,000 temporary Christmas jobs across UK

Online retailer Amazon has announced it is hiring 2700 seasonal staff in Scotland and 1,500 in Swansea to meet customer demand in the lead up to Christmas.

The announcement comes as the US internet giant revealed it will bring in a total of 15,000 new workers for the festive season.

Amazon, which is expanding operations in this country, said it expected hundreds of the temporary staff would later be able to take up permanent jobs.

The company said it was creating a variety of roles across its eight "fulfilment centres" and its Edinburgh customer service centre. Two of those are based in Scotland, with bases in Dunfermline, Fife and Gourock in Inverclyde.

The company said it will split 2500 jobs between the two bases with a further 200 appointments expected at the Edinburgh customer service centre.

The six other distribution sites across the UK are in Doncaster; Hemel Hempstead; Milton Keynes; Peterborough; Rugeley, Staffordshire; and Swansea Bay.

Catherine McDermott, director of operations at Amazon.co.uk, said: "On our busiest shopping day last Christmas, customers ordered a total of 3.5 million items during one 24-hour period at a rate of 44 items a second.

"During the Christmas season, seasonal associates play a critical role in making sure we meet increased demand from customers. As we continue to expand our UK operations, we expect many hundreds of these temporary associates to move into permanent positions as has been the case in previous years."

Amazon said last year it hired 10,000 seasonal staff in the run-up to the festive season and by the end of January had offered roles to 1000 of them.

In February a protest was held outside Amazon’s Dunfermline distribution centre against low wages and working conditions.

The GMB union said employees at the site were paid £6.20 an hour, just 1p above the minimum wage.

They also claimed staff were “exploited” and made to wear digital terminals on their arms which track their movements and there are no regular breaks. Workers also said they were protesting against a culture of bullying and harassment within the company.

However the corporation hit back, saying they give staff a "safe and positive working environment".
Recruitment for the latest roles will be ongoing in the run-up to the Christmas period and prospective employees can apply online.

Amazon, which recently opened a 210,000 sq ft office in central London as it eyes UK expansion, has more than 6000 permanent employees in the UK.

Source : STV News
http://news.stv.tv/east-central/240634-amazon-announce-2700-new-jobs-in-scotland-in-lead-up-to-christmas/