TRADE union Unite has launched a new whistle-blowing hotline for Amazon workers in Bolton ­— ­— and a campaign to get a 'new deal' for those employed by the global firm.

Unite is calling for a workers at the Bolton site and other sites to benefit from the 'firm's enormous profits' and use the free hotline to raise concerns.

The union is now calling on Amazon’s Jeff Bezos to sign up to a ‘new deal’, including commitments that recognise workers’ right to unionise.

The union say the campaign is against a backdrop of reports of poor working conditions.

Unite executive officer Sharon Graham said: “Unite has opened a confidential hotline for Amazon workers across Bolton and Manchester to blow the whistle on poor treatment and working practices.

"Amazon attacks all attempts by workers to gain a collective voice of their own. This is why Unite is launching ‘Action on Amazon’ to give Amazon workers a voice, so they don’t have to rely on whistle-blowing or calling confidential hotlines.

“Jeff Bezos has become the world’s richest man off the backs of workers who have played a crucial part in so many people’s lives during the pandemic. It is prime time Amazon gave workers in Bolton the right to be in a Union and to do so without interference, bullying and intimidation.”

A spokesman for Amazon said: " “The fact is we already offer our employees excellent pay, excellent benefits and excellent opportunities for career growth, all while working in a safe, modern work environment.

"Our competitive wages start at £9.70 or £10.80 per hour depending on location, and we’d encourage anyone to compare this to the wages and benefits offered by other retailers.

"We’re proud to have created 10,000 new permanent roles across the UK in 2020, taking our total permanent UK workforce to more than 40,000. Our people have played a critical role in serving customers in these unprecedented times and the new roles help us continue to meet customer demand and support small and medium sized businesses selling on Amazon."

The company said it respects it workers' right to join or not to join a union. And it added that it engages with its employees.

Amazon has several sites across the North West.