It would be hard to really say “this guy is the worst CEO”. I mean, there is so much competition–it’s much worse than dating (so many choices, so little time…oh, that was way back 30 years ago). But, I digress. But, Jeff Bezos got a particular round of catcalls from a global poll.
Courtesy of the International Trade Union Confederation, via press release:
Jeff Bezos CEO of Amazon was announced as winner of the world’s worst boss at the 3rd International Trade Union Confederation World Congress in Berlin. The ITUC representing 180 million workers, is meeting in Berlin with over 1500 delegates from 161 countries.
Sharan Burrow, General Secretary ITUC said while there are many CEO’s which have bad track records, nine stood out in 2014 as deserving of inclusion in the first poll of World’s Worst Bosses by the global union.
“Corporate power is out of control, it is cowering governments with threats of capital flight. The greed of the 1% is of more interest to our governments than the 99 %.
“We decided we would start exposing some of the elements of the worst boss phenomena – undermining democracy, undermining workers’ rights, supporting slavery and kafala.
“Amazon operating in Germany treats its workers as if they are robots. The company makes no secret that within just a few years they will replace workers with robots. A rich American corporation operating globally with disdain for dignity, for rights for working people. Jeff Bezos represents the inhumanity of employers who are promoting the American corporate model. The message to big business is back off, you are not going to mistreat workers,” said Sharan Burrow.
Over twenty thousand votes were cast for nine bosses, chosen for their abuses of workers’ rights, along with other activities which undermine the interests of working people. From tax avoidance, to corporate bullying or attempts to influence public opinion the rogues gallery of worst bosses has
Amazon has been at the forefront of tax avoidance scams and difficult working conditions.
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Warehouse workers walk as much as 15 miles / 24 km a day;
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Ambulances regularly wait outside facilities to collect workers;
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In Germany Ver.di warehouse workers have been fighting for better wages and conditions.
Other notables in the poll:
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C. Douglas McMillon, CEO Wal-Mart Stores
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Jamie Dimon, CEO JP Morgan Chase
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Loyd Blankfein, CEO Goldman Sachs Group
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Charles Koch, CEO Koch Industries
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Lee Kun-Hee, Chairman Samsun Group
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Ivan Glasenberg, CEO Glencore Xstrata
Hard to choose. Actually, dating is a lot easier.
