HBO host JOHN OLIVER VS. AMAZON

HBO host John Oliver on his “Last Week Tonight” show Sunday night criticized Amazon over its treatment of employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

Oliver slammed the online retail giant over its initial paid leave policy as well as over employees’ claims that the company has failed to provide protective gear, time for workers to clean their hands or an environment where workers are able to implement social distancing guidelines.

Oliver specifically called out Amazon’s firing of Chris Smalls, an Amazon worker at a Staten Island warehouse. Smalls was fired after demanding Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos better protect workers.

The company claimed Smalls was fired for coming onsite after being told to remain home because he had come in contact with another employee who tested positive for COVID-19.

But Oliver said leaked notes from an internal meeting in which Bezos was present show the company’s leadership discussing plans to make Smalls the face of the entire movement since he is “not smart or articulate.”

“That is so racist I can’t even point out how smart and articulate Smalls is without also sounding racist,” Oliver quipped.

Kristen Kish, an Amazon spokesperson, pushed back on Oliver’s claims.

Kish said the company has made more than 150 “significant process changes” at its sites to ensure “the health and safety of our teams.”

“Like all businesses grappling with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we are evaluating and making changes in real-time and encourage anyone to compare our overall pay, benefits, and speed in which we’re managing this crisis to other retailers and major employers across the country,” Kish said.