MORE than half of Amazon workers are forced to borrow money to subsidise their low pay, a report by GMB reveals today.

The study forms part of the union’s formal pay claim to the multinational, calling on Amazon to deliver a £17 minimum wage for staff in Britain.

The survey of hundreds of Amazon workers found low pay was causing 15 per cent of Amazon workers in Britain to use foodbanks.

Of those surveyed, 53 per cent said they were having to borrow money to keep up with the cost of living while 78 per cent said they were struggling to keep up with day-to-day expenses.

The news comes as Amazon workers across the world, including the US, Germany, Turkey, Canada, India, Japan and Brazil, stage a day of action to mark the company’s Black Friday deals.

Protests are expected outside the company’s headquarters in Bishopsgate, London, today.

GMB senior organiser Amanda Gearing said the findings “should be a wake-up call for decision makers.”

She said: “Despite all the attempts to paint Amazon as force for good, the company’s reputation is on the floor over its treatment of workers.

“It’s a scandal that 15 per cent of Amazon workers — around 12,000 people — are reporting being forced to use foodbanks to make ends meet.

“Amazon are one of the world’s wealthiest corporations, it’s not right that their UK staff are being forced to endure this.

“That’s why we’ve launched our call for £17 an hour at Amazon this Black Friday.”

An Amazon spokesman said: “Amazon’s front-line employees in the UK receive a minimum starting salary of between £28,000 and £30,000 — that’s an increase of at least 35 per cent over the last two years.

“Our employees work a four day week with flexible working options and excellent career opportunities — all within a modern, safe and engaging work environment.”