California to regulate labor-productivity algorithms used in Amazon fulfillment centers

The California Senate will consider a bill regulating the algorithms used to calculate worker productivity in Amazon fulfillment centers. The New York Times.

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Under the bill, all California warehouse employers would be required to provide workers with access to the details of any quota used for algorithmic measurement of their productivity, and to explain the consequences of not meeting it.

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If enacted, the bill would establish new transparency requirements for automated productivity-calculation systems and block the use of programmes that could jeopardise workers’ health and safety.

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During the bill’s presentation, California Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez said that Amazon had fired “hundreds” of warehouse workers for not meeting quotas at a Baltimore facility over the course of a year. She said this was due to a deeply automated system for tracking individual workers’ performance.

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“To make next-day delivery possible, corporations like Amazon forced warehouse workers to work faster, serve more customers with more orders in record time, and risk their own health,” Gonzalez said.

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Additionally, the bill would block any quota system that prevents meals and rest breaks, as well as the use of toilets.

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“Workers should not be made to sacrifice basic human needs or accept undignified conditions in order to earn a wage,” added Gonzalez.

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The California Assembly approved the bill in May 2021.

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In August, the company launched a driver-tracking system using AI cameras.

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In July, it emerged that Amazon used algorithms to terminate couriers without good reason.

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In March, it was revealed that the retailer forced delivery drivers to sign a surveillance authorization in the vehicle.

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