Amazon Seeks to Hire 100,000 Workers to Keep Up During Outbreak

The pandemic means that business is booming for Amazon.

Amazon Army

E-commerce giant Amazon is looking to hire 100,000 workers to "keep up with crush of orders," Associated Press reporter Miller wrote in a Monday tweet.

The news was later confirmed by the Wall Street Journal, which reported that employees in the US and Canada will get an additional $2 an hour through April.

Shoppers are heeding the words of governments and self-isolating at home — and choosing to buy stuff online instead. And Amazon is struggling to keep up with the surge, with many Prime orders being delayed.

Keeping Up

The Jeff Bezos-led company also recommended global employees who can to work from home "through the end of March," according to the blog post. Those who tested positive for COVID-19 or placed in quarantine "will receive up to two weeks of pay."

"As COVID-19 has spread, we've recently seen an increase in people shopping online," read a Saturday blog post on Amazon's website. "In the short term, this is having an impact on how we serve our customers."

Relief Fund

An Amazon Relief Fund will also be "focused on supporting our independent delivery service partners and their drivers," according to the post. The WSJ also reported that Amazon is expanding its sick-leave policy.

Amazon was in the news earlier this month after deleting one million items, ranging from coronavirus-related products like face masks and hand sanitizers, for price gouging and false advertising.

READ MORE: Amazon says some shipments could take longer because of coronavirus [CNN]

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