It is the first for not allowing workers to access their algorithm

The Generalitat of Catalonia has imposed a fine of the multinational Amazon for the lack of transparency of the company with the operation of the algorithm in charge of monitor productivity Of the more than 2,000 employees working in their logistics center of El Prat de Llobregat, located in the immediate vicinity of Barcelona airport.

The economic fine itself does not have greater importance for a multinational in Amazon’s size, but it does have a symbolic value since it is The first in Spain that acts on the lack of transparency of algorithms that control labor relations in the digital economy, such and as he published exclusively Chain ser.

The productivity algorithm marks the rhythm. At the end of 2024, the facilities of the Amazon Logistics Center in the Prat de Llobregat, the largest that the company has in Spain, received a “macro -inspection” of work by computer specialists at the Generalitat. The inspection occurred before the denunciation of the union delegates in terms of prevention of occupational hazards to which Amazon had denied access to the operation of the algorithm that It measures productivity of the template.

This algorithm controls the daily work of each of the employees, and determines whether its productivity is adequate. What the union delegates demanded was to know what parameters used the algorithm for Determine that productivity.

Raúl Hernández, Warehouse Mozo at the Prat and CGT member of the Company Committee, declared Chain ser That “they measure article by article everything you are placing and if they believe it is not enough, they demand more.” The employee ensures that, not knowing the parameters that govern the control algorithm, they cannot know how their work is being in advance until they receive the warning of a supervisor. “Many times they come and tell you: ‘You are not going to the average of the day.’ But how am I going to know the average?” The employee says.

Amazon “symbolic”. In the Labor Inspection of the late 2024, several minor infractions related to the determination of the schedules and rest times of the staff were found, as well as the allocation of time to go to the bathroom, parameters that also controls the aforementioned productivity algorithm.

In this sense, sources of CCOO consulted by Chain ser They estimate that the set of sanctions could be around 100,000 euros. Of that amount, 2,401 euros would correspond to the sanction for non -compliance with the right of workers’ participation.

In other words, for not attending to the requests of the labor security committee to know the productivity parameters that the algorithm uses. “Even if it is an economically symbolic fine, it is essential to consolidate a new right of workers, which is to know if the algorithms have an impact on the workplace,” he said BE Dani Cruz, head of Digital Transition of CCOO of Catalonia.

Amazon does not agree. Asked by Xataka, Amazon sources disagree with the sanction claiming that the regulations on risk safety and prevention are respected and announces the appeal of the sanctions imposed.

“We disagree with the position of the Labor Inspection in its resolution proposal, which is not firm and, therefore we have resorted to. We will continue to collaborate to answer their questions and requests in this regard. In Amazon, our working people provide services in a modern and safe environment, under the highest standards of safety and health at work. The safety and well -being of our people employed is our top priority. The infrastructure and facilities of our logistics centers are Designed to guarantee a safe and comfortable work environment.

The Rider Law and the Algorithm. One of the most critical points of the called Rider Law approved in 2021 for regulate the labor market promoted by the new digital platforms, it was to include in the statute of the workers the right of the Company Committee to be informed about the operation of algorithms of these platforms.

In its article 64.4 a new section D was introduced in which it was indicated: “Be informed by the company of the parameters, rules and instructions on which the algorithms or artificial intelligence systems are based that affect the decision making that can influence the working conditions, access and maintenance of employment, including the elaboration of profiles.” According to the Labor Inspection, Amazon would not have offered due information on the functioning of this algorithm to the Occupational Risk Committee.

The “Gray List”. The lack of information about the parameters that measure the productivity of the workforce throws a shadow of suspicion about the company’s labor practices. Employees denounce that this data could be being used to argue dismissals among less productive workers once they conclude high demand campaigns (Black Friday, Christmas, etc.).

According to union sources consulted by Chain serthe data provided by this algorithm could place employees in “gray lists” without their knowledge. The employees of these lists could be candidates to be fired under the justification of breach of safety standards. “They put things like you have not respected safety standards. They are situations that may have happened, but that are very thorough and with that justify the dismissal,” says Raúl Hernández. According to union sources, before a judicial resource, most of these layoffs end solving as inadmissible.

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Image | Flickr (Álvaro Ibáñez)