San Francisco, United States | AFP | Monday 3/17/2020 – 07:03 UTC+8

Amazon on Monday said it was boosting pay and hiring 100,000 US workers due to strain on its workforce caused by a surge in online shopping prompted by coronavirus fears.

The Seattle-based firm expects to spend more than $350 million to bump up hourly pay in the North America and Europe for employees and partners in distribution centers, transportation operations and stores.

“Getting a priority item to your doorstep is vital as communities practice social-distancing, particularly for the elderly and others with underlying health issues,” senior vice president of worldwide operations Dave Clark said in a blog post.

“We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year.”

Amazon is addling 100,000 full or part-time jobs across the US, according to Clark.

“Many people have been economically impacted as jobs in areas like hospitality, restaurants, and travel are lost or furloughed as part of this crisis,” he said.

“We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back.”

Amazon hourly pay in the US, currently $15 or more, will be increased $2 through April, according to Clark.

Hourly pay in Britain will get a boost of two pounds, while the increase will be about two euros in other parts of Europe, Amazon said.

Clark added that Amazon is promoting social distancing in workplaces, and has enhanced cleaning regimens as health safeguards.

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Cover image: Normally busy downtown streets are virtually empty at rush hour due to coronavirus fears on March 12, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. Major employers like Amazon and many others have asked employees to work from home to help slow the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images/AFP)