Yahoo – AFP,
Rob Lever, January 12, 2017
 |
| An employee prepares order at Amazon's San Bernardino Fulfillment Center (AFP Photo/KEVORK DJANSEZIAN) |
Washington
(AFP) - Amazon on Thursday unveiled plans to create 100,000 US jobs over the
next 18 months, as President-elect Donald Trump presses the business world to
boost activities on American soil.
The US tech
and retail giant's plan to bring its American workforce to over 280,000 is the
latest -- and largest -- of a string of job-creation announcements as Trump
prepares to take office on a promise to boost US jobs and curb offshoring.
"These
new job opportunities are for people all across the country and with all types
of experience, education and skill levels -- from engineers and software
developers to those seeking entry-level positions and on-the-job
training," an Amazon statement said.
Amazon made
no mention of the president-elect, but Team Trump swiftly took credit for the
plan, which came on the heels of similar initiatives by Japan's SoftBank, Ford
Motor Co., Fiat Chrysler and air conditioning manufacturer Carrier.
"The
president-elect was pleased to have played a role in that decision by
Amazon," said spokesman Sean Spicer, noting that it followed a meeting in
which Trump urged tech firms to keep jobs and production inside the United States.
Amazon said
that "many" of the new full-time jobs would be in new
"fulfillment centers" or warehouses where goods are stored for
consumer delivery. It also pledged to add 25,000 who are veterans or military
spouses.
"These
jobs are not just in our Seattle headquarters or in Silicon Valley -- they're
in our customer service network, fulfillment centers and other facilities in
local communities throughout the country," said Amazon founder and chief
executive Jeff Bezos.
The world's
largest retailer has often faced criticism over working conditions in its
warehouses.
In Britain,
Amazon has been assailed for its labor policies, particularly after it emerged
that some of its workers were unable to cover the cost of their commute, and
resorted to sleeping in tents outside the warehouse.
'Advanced
logistics'
The
initiative comes with Amazon expanding from its origins as an online retailer
to a diversified tech company offering streaming video and music, cloud
computing, and home automation through its artificial intelligence program
Alexa.
Bezos said
new workers will be needed "as we open new fulfillment centers, and
continue to invent in areas like cloud technology, machine learning, and
advanced logistics."
Amazon's
job creation move comes even as the firm invests in technology to allow for
speedier deliveries, which could include automating some functions in its
warehouses. It also has been laying out plans for delivery by drone, which in
some cases could be fully automated.
Amazon has
more than 300,000 employees worldwide, and also uses 45,000 "robotic
units" for its operations.
The company
recently announced plans to boost its brick-and-mortar presence with a handful
of stores, including one in New York City. It has also demonstrated a concept
high-tech grocery store with automated checkout.
The company
boasted that it also helps stimulate jobs and the economy through its Amazon
Marketplace, which allows people to sell goods over the online platform, and
Amazon Flex, which allows people to drive and deliver on a part-time basis.
Bezos and
Trump exchanged barbs during the 2016 presidential campaign but the Amazon
founder was among technology executives who met the president-elect last month
in New York.
During the
campaign, Trump warned Amazon could have "a huge antitrust problem"
and accused Bezos of using the Washington Post, which he owns, to work against
him and to push policies that help Amazon avoid taxes.
Bezos, who
also owns the private space firm Blue Origin and at one point offered Trump a
seat to outer space, congratulated his fellow billionaire after the election,
tweeting, "I for one give him my most open mind and wish him great
success."
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