The huge role played by global logistics and supply chain firms during this lockdown, and the probability that the world may not experience a full opening up of all sectors of the economy soonest, Amazon, which has been at the centre of e-commerce globally is planning massive employment and expansion. To this end, it is hiring an additional 3,000 remote workers in South Africa.
The virtual customer service and technical expert roles will see them providing 24-hour support to customers in North America and Europe. This will bring the total number of the online retailer’s largely permanent workforce in South Africa to 7,000. Never has Amazon’s services been more needed than now.
With sales rising by 26% between January and March, the company is also hiring more than 100,000 new workers in the US to keep up with the sharp increase in demand for its services. But that has come with its challenges. In the last couple of months, the company has come under attack both internally and externally over the welfare of its staff members. In one facility alone, more than 100 people were believed to have been infected as at last month.
Amazon’s South Africa customer service unit goes as far back as 2010 although its e-commerce service is not available in the country. The new hires will receive a monthly internet stipend, contributions toward medical aid and provident fund, group life cover, and employee wellness programmes.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry