U.S based online retailer Amazon Inc. (AMZN) has lost a lawsuit to stop the attorney general of New York from investigating its ability and measures it has put in place to protect its warehouse workers from COVID-19.
U.S District Judge Brian Cogan in Brooklyn turned down Amazon’s claim suggesting actions by Attorney General Letitia James were in bad faith by trying to probe into its pandemic response measures and halt its alleged retaliation against workers who were not impressed by the efforts the company was taking to curb the pandemic.
“The state has a legitimate interest in ensuring that employers are complying with state labor laws, are enforcing important health safety measures, and are sanctioned for illegal conduct that occurs within the state,” wrote the judge.
The company’s spokesperson, Kelly Nantel spoke after the court ruling expressing how as a company they have been disappointed by it. “We’re disappointed with today’s procedural ruling, which the court made clear does not mean the Attorney General’s underlying claims have merit,” said Nantel.
In the lawsuit, Amazon is being accused of putting profits before the health of its workers and unlawfully disciplining two workers who protested the working conditions. One of the two employees got sacked.
