"Amazon freelance deliverer in Japan eligible for workers' accident compensation", 04 October 2023

A freelance delivery driver for e-commerce giant Amazon in Japan has become eligible for workers' compensation for injuries he sustained during work.

A lawyer for the man says this is likely the first case of its kind in the country...

The freelance driver in his 60s works in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, under a contract with a company that is commissioned by Amazon to deliver packages.

In September last year, he slipped on an outside stairway and fell 2 meters to the ground while he was making a delivery. He sustained injuries including a broken back, which forced him to stay home for two months to recover.

This prompted him to apply to the labor standards office in Kanagawa for workers' compensation. On September 26, he was recognized as being eligible for compensation for 50 days of lost work.

The labor standards office has not provided the reason for its recognition of the man's case. His lawyer said the labor standards office seems to have determined that the man was under Amazon's order and supervision. The lawyer said Amazon uses its app to decide the number of packages to deliver and a coverage area for each driver, and those instructions make it actually impossible for the man to decline Amazon's request...

He said his colleagues welcome the decision and hope it will help improve their working conditions.

Lawyer Suga Shunji called the decision significant and said Amazon delivery drivers nationwide are expected to be recognized as being eligible for compensation for work-related accidents.employees