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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Jamie Barlow

Campaigners protest in Notts over allegations of 'price gouging' on Amazon website

Campaigners staged a protest over Amazon's treatment of workers and what unionists described as 'price gouging' at the height of the pandemic.

Union Unite has submitted the first formal complaint to the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) against Amazon over alleged abuse of its market position in relation to "price gouging".

Campaigners say vulnerable and older people who had to stay at home, and those who relied on home deliveries, would have been exposed to inflated prices for essential items on the Amazon website.

Unite is calling for Amazon to repay the "overcharges".

Campaigners protested outside The Workhouse in Southwell about the issues.

Sharon Graham, Unite executive officer for organising and leverage said: “Amazon stands accused of profiting from price gouging on its website at the height of the pandemic when vulnerable people were most at need. It's time for Amazon to be held to account."

Unite officials are also calling on Amazon to sign up to a declaration of neutrality, which includes commitments that recognise workers’ rights to unionise.

However, Amazon bosses said it had worked to stop attempts from some sellers to "take advantage of the global health crisis".

A spokesman for Amazon said: “There is no place for price gouging on Amazon. We worked with the CMA more than a year ago to stop attempts by some sellers to take advantage of the global health crisis.

"Our action at the time was clear and decisive - we removed the offers referenced in this complaint and terminated seller accounts.

"We continue to monitor our store 24/7 to remove offers that violate our policies.”

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