US e-commerce behemoth Amazon is offering employees a $10,000 pay-off to become independent package delivery entrepreneurs in an effort to help accelerate the company’s efforts to control its own logistics.
Amazon released a statement in which it said that the latest incentive offering would include three months wages for employees who express a desire to start their own delivery enterprise company.
Amazon has also promised the budding entrepreneurs a consistent delivery volume in a bid to offset fears that the new businesses would not be economically viable.
The US technology leader has claimed that the new program is further evidence of its unwavering commitment to empowering employees to pursue career aspirations. Amazon has previously indicated that it is seeking to reduce its dependence on services such as the US Postal Service and FedEx.
US President Donald Trump has been critical of many ‘Big Tech’ companies during his tenure in The White House, and he accused Amazon of taking advantage of the US Postal Service by using bulk rates for packages.
However, this has been rejected by many analysts who have argued that the struggling public corporation benefits hugely from the revenue generated by the global e-commerce colossus.
Amazon launched the delivery service partner program in 2018, and claimed that employees investing in their own start-up could earn up to $300,000 per-year.
Dave Clark, SVP of Worldwide Operations at Amazon has said the program has generated huge interest on a global scale from both employees and other associates.
Clark said, “We received overwhelming interest from tens of thousands of individuals who applied to be part of the delivery service partner program, including many employees. We've heard from associates that they want to participate in the program but struggled with the transition. Now we have a path for those associates with an appetite for opportunities to own their own businesses."
Amazon also declared that it would offer access to the company's delivery technology, training, and discounts on assets and services, including Amazon-branded vans and uniforms and insurance.
The overall strategy is part of Amazon to gain more control of its vast logistical network that includes its own employees, contractors and outside services that deliver its parcels.