Markey Champions Warehouse Workers’ Rights on Amazon Prime Day

Washington (October 8, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security and lead sponsor of theWarehouse Worker Protection Act, released the following statement during Amazon’s “Prime Big Deal Days” event, running October 7 and October 8.
“Amazon will rake in billions during its Prime Day deal events, but the highest price will be paid by workers who will suffer backbreaking work speeds, forced overtime, and serious injuries,”said Senator Markey. “Corporations such as Amazon have time and again prioritized profits over workers’ safety and health. My bipartisan, bicameralWarehouse Worker Protection Actwould provide workers the safety protections and dignity they deserve, while holding greedy corporations accountable for dangerous labor practices.”
According to areportreleased by the Democratic staff of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, nearly half of all Amazon warehouse workers were injured during the week of Prime Day in 2019. During that same time period, ten percent of Amazon workers—double the rate for other warehouse workers—experienced an injury or illness that led to serious medical treatment, missed work, or death.
Today, the HELP Committee, of which Senator Markey is a member, held a hearing that included discussion of theWarehouse Worker Protection Act.
TheWarehouse Worker Protection Actwould require companies to provide written notice to workers of quotas, prohibit dangerous quotas—including those that rely on constant intrusive surveillance, interfere with workers’ ability to use the bathroom, and take guaranteed breaks—violate health and safety laws, or prevent workers from exercising their right to organize. The legislation also directs the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to create an ergonomic management standard for warehouse workers.
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