Amazon to hire 100,000 delivery people amid coronavirus outbreak

Amazon is looking to hire 100,000 new employees for its fulfillment centers and delivery network to meet the surge in demand during coronavirus outbreak, the company said Monday.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Amazon is helping communities around the world by delivering critical supplies directly to the doorsteps of people who need them. Dave Clark, Amazon's senior vice president of Worldwide Operations, said, "We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year."

The company said the workers in its U.S. fulfillment centers will get an extra 2 U.S. dollars per hour through the end of April. Those who are working in the United Kingdom and other European countries will get a similar raise. Amazon currently pays 15 dollars per hour for entry-level jobs and expects to spend about 350 million dollars in increased compensation across the United States, Europe and Canada.

As people are urged to stay at home amid the coronavirus outbreak, demand for delivery is at a record high. Amazon has started running out of some household staples, including toilet paper and other daily necessities.