Amazon warehouse employees in the United States are finding it difficult to afford food and rent

Amazon Warehouse Workers Struggle to Afford Food and Housing, Survey Finds

A recent survey conducted by the University of Illinois Chicago’s Center for Urban Economic Development revealed that five years after Amazon raised wages to $15 an hour, half of warehouse workers are still struggling to afford enough food or a place to live.

The national study asked United States employees about their economic well-being, including whether they had skipped meals, went hungry, or were worried about being able to make rent or mortgage payments. The results showed that 53% of respondents experienced some form of food insecurity in the prior three months, while 48% experienced housing insecurity. Workers who took unpaid time off after getting hurt on the job were more likely to report trouble paying their bills.

Sanjay Pinto, co-author of the study, stated that Amazon is not necessarily an outlier in this regard, but they are not leading in creating family-sustaining jobs. Amazon, which accounts for about 29% of the U.S. warehousing industry workforce, has faced criticism for its treatment of employees, particularly those working in warehouses.

The survey, which included responses from 1,484 workers in 42 states, found that a third of respondents reported using government-funded programs like food stamps or Medicaid in the last three months. Despite Amazon’s claims of paying employees well, the survey showed that most workers reported wages ranging from $16 to $20 an hour.

The study was funded by the Ford Foundation, Oxfam America, and the National Employment Law Project. It sheds light on the challenges faced by Amazon warehouse workers and raises questions about the company’s treatment of its employees.