CAIT supports global 'Make Amazon Pay' campaign

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Dec 2, 2020

The Confederation of All India Traders has given its support to global campaign ‘Make Amazon Pay’, which criticises the e-commerce giant for alleged harmful business practices. 

 
“We express our support and solidarity with the just cause of the global movement 'MakeAmazonPay',” said CAIT’s secretary general Praveen Khandelwal.

“Indian traders led by CAIT are ready to join the campaign, which is supported by warehouse workers, environmental activists and advocates for racial, tax and data justice around the world.”

The movement alleges that Amazon has made profits at a large cost to workers and the environment. Amazon has denied all allegations made against it.
 
CAIT is observing ‘expose offenders week’ from December 1 to 7, which will see numerous trade organisations lobby the government to create e-commerce policy to prevent big businesses from allegedly monopolising the online market. At a local level, trade associations will march and hand over an exhaustive memorandum to district collectors to urge to government to introduce new e-commerce regulations.
 
“With such exploitative practices, companies like Amazon will destroy India's local business culture and will destabilise the foundation of India's MSME [micro, small, and medium enterprise] sector, which is the lifeline of Indian economy,” said Khandelwal.

“Therefore, we are opposing the business model of Amazon.”

CAIT has criticised Amazon India’s competitor Flipkart for the same alleged malpractices. 
 
CAIT has consistently campaigned against U.S.-owned businesses Amazon India and Flipkart, organising nationwide protests, writing to government officials, and rallying its member traders to boycott the businesses.