Bezos, founder of Amazon and the world’s richest man, announced on 13 September that he would donate $2bn to support US preschools and combat homelessness in the country. The announcement led to renewed criticism of working conditions at Amazon warehouses, and homelessness among the company’s low paid staff. The donation also prompted accusations of hypocrisy due to Amazon’s efforts to reduce its tax bills, and the company's role in defeating a law in Seattle designed to raise money to fight homelessness. The debate has raised wider questions about the relationship between corporate ethics and corporate giving.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and the world’s richest man, announced on 13 September that he would donate $2bn to support US preschools and combat homelessness in the country. The announcement led to renewed criticism of working conditions at Amazon warehouses, and homelessness among the company’s low paid staff. The donation also prompted accusations of hypocrisy due to Amazon’s efforts to reduce its tax bills, and the company's role in defeating a law in Seattle designed to raise money to fight homelessness. The debate has raised wider questions about the relationship between corporate ethics and corporate giving.