AMAZON workers in Dunfermline are to get access to a whistle-blowing hotline set up this week by Unite the Union.

The organisation said it wanted to get a "new deal" for employees at the West Fife fulfilment centre and across the country.

On Wednesday, it began a national newspaper and digital Facebook advertising campaign to alert workers that they can blow the whistle and expose poor treatment free from reprisals.

It also plans to relay the message through advertising in papers including this week's Press (page 15).

Amazon say that they respect their employees’ right to join, form, or not to join a labour union or other lawful organisation of their own selection.

In addition, across its fulfilment centres, the firm says it places "enormous value on having daily conversations with each employee to make sure direct engagement with our employees is a strong part of our work culture".

However, Unite say that against a backdrop of reports of poor working conditions, Amazon workers have been essential during the pandemic and has launched its campaign across the country to help.

Executive officer Sharon Graham said: “Unite has opened a confidential hotline for Amazon workers in Scotland to blow the whistle on poor treatment and working practices.

"Amazon attacks all attempts by workers to gain a collective voice of their own. This is why Unite is launching ‘Action on Amazon’ to give Amazon workers a voice, so they don’t have to rely on whistle-blowing or calling confidential hotlines.

“Jeff Bezos has become the world’s richest man off the backs of workers who have played a crucial part in so many people’s lives during the pandemic.

"It is prime time Amazon gave workers in Scotland the right to be in a union and to do so without interference, bullying and intimidation.”

An Amazon spokesperson said they already offered employees excellent pay, excellent benefits and excellent opportunities for career growth while working in a "safe, modern" work environment.

"Our competitive wages start at £9.70 or £10.80 per hour depending on location, and we’d encourage anyone to compare this to the wages and benefits offered by other retailers," said the spokesperson.

"We’re proud to have created 10,000 new permanent roles across the UK in 2020, taking our total permanent UK workforce to more than 40,000.

"Our people have played a critical role in serving customers in these unprecedented times and the new roles help us continue to meet customer demand and support small and medium-sized businesses selling on Amazon."