Amazon to act against India delivery partner after fatal fire

Amazon announced it will take appropriate action against its third-party delivery partner in India, M&M Logistics Solutions, following a fire that resulted in the deaths of two workers. The incident occurred on June 5 at a facility in Uttarakhand, which a state police document indicated lacked a valid fire safety clearance, fire alarm, smoke detectors, and a proper emergency exit.

Amazon stated that it will proceed with action in line with its policies once the local authorities' investigation is complete. The e-commerce giant has also initiated its own independent internal investigation into the matter. M&M Logistics Solutions operates 45 Amazon delivery centers across 21 cities in northern India.

Despite M&M Logistics being a third-party vendor, Amazon's internal code of conduct for suppliers prohibits unsafe working environments, including those with uncontrolled fires. Violations of these standards can lead to suspension or termination of contractors.

This incident follows scrutiny of Amazon in India earlier in 2024, when the National Human Rights Commission investigated allegations of labor law violations at a warehouse during a heatwave. The Amazon India Workers Union has called for an independent judicial investigation into the June 5 deaths, labeling the event a "grave failure of workplace safety and protection of human dignity."