Amazon.com Inc’s investor-led proposal to review its use of plastic won 49% support. This is even as shareholders voted down all the 15 resolutions at the e-commerce giant’s annual general meeting. It was the only proposal that came close to reaching the 51% mark for approval. Investors opposed resolutions that challenged the company’s policies on various issues, such as the treatment of workers and use of non-disclosure agreements.
About 13% of the company’s voting stock is controlled by Founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos. The proposal for a report on whether Amazon cloud, surveillance and other capabilities contribute to human rights violation won 40% support. But an overwhelming 87% voted down a proposal calling Amazon to review worker safety. Only 39% of votes were in favor of a resolution related to unionization of workers. But 47% backed a report on whether Amazon’s lobbying activities were consistent with the best interest of the shareholders.
A move to review Amazon’s facial recognition technology got 41% votes in favor. The resolutions are non-binding, but companies often take some form of action if they receive backing of 30% to 40% of votes cast. Investors backed the company’s proposal to approve executive compensation, elect director nominees and consider a stock split by a big margin.
