Mar 16, 2020 - Economy & Business

Amazon seeking to hire 100,000 new workers to meet coronavirus demand

Ursula Perano

Photo: Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Amazon is planning to hire 100,000 new warehouse and delivery workers in the U.S. to meet the growing demand for online shopping amid mass business shutdowns due to the coronavirus, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Why it matters: The coronavirus pandemic has rocked the economy, exposing inequality and causing many companies to cut jobs. The $2 an hour increase in pay will be attractive to many workers, but the hiring surge means 100,000 more people will go to work and not practice social distancing.

The big picture: Nonessential businesses nationwide are shutting down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Americans have been widely encouraged to remain at home and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, per new guidance from the White House on Monday.

  • According to a memo obtained by the Journal, Amazon’s senior vice president of operations Dave Clark wrote: "We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year."

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Getting behind an idea from Andrew Ross Sorkin that excited CEOs, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called on Congress to pass a "bridge loan" program to give federally guaranteed loans to companies with big losses from the pandemic.

How it works: The loans would include incentives for employers to maintain existing current workers at their existing pay.

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As the coronavirus crisis forces daily life across the U.S. into a new homebound template, the tech industry is swooping in to reshape how we shop, eat and entertain ourselves.

The big picture: Trends toward e-commerce, delivery services and online entertainment have long been underway, but this moment is accelerating them — and pushing the companies and industries behind them into a new position of dominance.

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Macy's to furlough 130,000 employees

Macy's flagship store in New York, March 24. Photo: John Lamparski/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Macy's will furlough the majority of its workers this week, as the company's stores remain closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Details: Macy's sales have seen a drastic decline, having shuttered its stores on March 18. The company employs about 130,000 people, per the Journal. It will retain workers for its e-commerce operations, distribution and call centers. The chain told staff it will continue to cover 100% of its employees' health care premiums at least through May.

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