How Amazon Made a Packet out of COVID

The pandemic has caused misery, turmoil and death for so many - but as this documentary exposes, for much of the rich elite, this is boomtime. From Amazon to private contractors, profit margins have exploded. In the first 9 months of the crisis, billionaires' fortunes jumped by nearly $4 trillion. While the high street is in a tailspin of decline, Amazon saw their profits triple in one quarter; and £37 billion of public money has been wasted on Test and Trace, which was found to have a minimal impact on the pandemic, but which shovelled vast amounts into the bank accounts of private consultants.

This is the story of how COVID-19 became a money spinner: as told by the people who know.

[taffridge]

Shameful greed by Amazon, without their drivers they are nothing, it's not as if they can't afford to improve conditions.

[robertwinslade]

One of the most important videos you've done Owen. This really shows just how rigged the system is

[wolf_of_fenric]

A great documentary that everybody should watch. When you put this alongside nurses getting a real terms pay cut, it is appalling that this government is operating like this.

[geovanniali]

It's beyond me why anyone is not in a trade union in these dark days. Join a union, don't be alone. Great video Owen thanks

[alanlittle]

I remember as a child learning of the Industrial Revolution. The story of the rich in mansions, with servants and luxurious wealth built on the backs of horrendous working conditions. I believed that was all in the past, that we had a better society. I'm so naive sometimes. We have created the same economic system again.

[flybe]

Owen, this country has never, ever needed you as much as it does right now so for goodness just keep going fella just keep going for all our sakes!!

[richardcashley]

Amazon stole drivers tips amounting to 62, 000 dollars, and all that happened was they were told to pay it back.

[davidtanslow]

Complete lack of competition caused mainly by bad laws imposed by corrupt governments is the main driver of excessive profiteering and the poverty that's become prevalent in most societies.

[DeviSerene]

I really feel for the Amazon workers. They don't deserve to be treated like this. I work in the games industry, and we have the same anti-union atmosphere, which is sad too.

[marlenes.]

The Amazon worker really broke my heart

[alisonreid]

my partner is an amazon driver has been for years now - his mum died a couple of weeks back and it's if you don't work you don't get paid, needless to say it's been tough, even just taking a day off for dentist, doctor ect is a pain in the behind as you don't know if your going to have a job next day

[atlasrand]

We need profiteering tax and an international treaty to help combat the tax avoidance from Europe to North America.

[askaniuk]

The question when seeing these great and eye opening videos ....what can we the general public do?

[indrinita]

just recently discovered you through your interviews/work with Novara Media - excellent work! You have a new subscriber.

[Pippinstravels]

Thank you Mr. Jones for opening my eyes to this and things like this, where have I been for all these ignorant years?

[fxylady]

Great work. Thanks Owen and everyone involved in making this illuminating and disturbing documentary.

[dt]

Wow what a great video! Really insightful.

[niallocallanain]

Amazon have their European headquarters in Ireland where they are benefit from a very favorable tax regime.

[TheGallicWitch]

Thank you for this! A very interesting video, but would you consider having captions for your documentaries? Unfortunately, not much content is accessible to disabled people online, and it is all the more important when it is informative, important subjects like the ones you cover. I hope you understand and that you maybe take it into consideration. Cheers!

[petermanuel]

I wish there was a worker co-op alternative to these gig-job apps.