Advocacy
EU Parliament wants to throw Amazon lobbyists out the door
The European Parliament in Strasbourg. Amazon lobbyists should be denied access to the parliament building. photo
© Jean-Francois Badias/AP/dpa
The European Parliament has asked Amazon representatives to take part in hearings on working conditions several times since 2021. Without success. In response, lobbyists should now be denied access.
Specifically, Amazon representatives have been asked twice since 2021 to take part in a hearing of the Labor and Social Affairs Committee. It was also asked whether a parliamentary delegation would be received by Amazon in December. Given the company’s “constant unavailability”, it was important to make it clear that the approach was disrespectful to the European Parliament and EU citizens in general.
Amazon is disappointed
Amazon said: “We are very disappointed with this decision.” They want to work together constructively. Amazon regularly takes part in activities organized by Parliament and other EU institutions – including parliamentary hearings. They have repeatedly expressed their willingness to contact the parliamentarians of the Labor and Social Committee and have been invited to visit Amazon facilities. “This invitation still applies.”
It was initially unclear exactly what access the Amazon lobbyists had with their access cards. Doors in the EU Parliament buildings can also be opened with so-called badges. Some of the badges grant access to areas that cannot be reached with other badges. In addition, it was initially unclear whether the lobbyists had to pass regular security checks before they were allowed access to parliament buildings.