A fire at M&M Logistics Solutions, an Amazon delivery partner in the northern state of Uttarakhand, killed two people on June 5. According to reports from Reuters, the building allegedly lacked a valid fire safety clearance, a fire alarm, smoke detectors and a proper emergency exit, according to a state police document reviewed by Reuters. The incident has prompted Amazon to announce it will take 'appropriate action' against the third-party delivery partner once a police investigation concludes. Amazon confirmed on Thursday (July 2) that it will take appropriate action in line with its policies once the investigation by the local authorities is complete, as reported by Reuters.
Amazon has initiated an independent internal investigation into the incident, as reported by Reuters. A source with direct knowledge confirmed this development but requested anonymity citing the confidential nature of the issue. The e-commerce giant stated it will take 'appropriate action in line with its policies' once the local authorities investigation is complete. Amazon has also launched an independent internal investigation into the incident, according to Reuters. In a statement to Reuters, Amazon confirmed it will take 'appropriate action' against the third-party delivery partner once the police investigation concludes. Amazon has emphasized that safety and wellbeing of its workers is its top priority.
The Amazon India Workers Union has demanded an independent judicial inquiry into the June 5 deaths, calling the incident an example of 'a grave failure of workplace safety and protection of human dignity', according to Reuters. This incident follows previous scrutiny in 2024 when Amazon came under scrutiny from India's National Human Rights Commission over allegations of labour law violations during a severe heatwave at a warehouse near New Delhi. The commission was later informed that the state government had initiated legal action under India's labour law over the complaints. The union's call for an independent judicial inquiry reflects growing concerns about workplace safety standards in Amazon's supply chain operations.
M&M Logistics Solutions operates 45 Amazon delivery centres across 21 cities in northern India, according to a 2023 Amazon press release reported by Reuters. Though M&M Logistics Solutions is a third-party vendor, Amazon's internal code of conduct for suppliers and vendors states it does not tolerate working environments that are unsafe for humans, including uncontrolled fires. The code indicates that third-party contractors can be suspended or even terminated for any violations of its standards. Amazon has maintained that the safety and well-being of workers remain its top priority, with the company's supplier code of conduct requiring third-party vendors to maintain safe working conditions and explicitly prohibiting unsafe workplaces, including those with inadequate fire safety.
