Amazon shareholders have voted against proposals to conduct an independent audit of working conditions in its warehouses.

The decision came during Amazon’s annual general meeting (AGM) on 25 May.

The news comes after the US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) denied the retail giant’s request to skip the audit in April, saying the proposal “transcends ordinary business matters”.

The proposals were initially filed via London-based retail investor activist platform Tulipshare.

Amazon’s investors voted on 19 proposals in total at its AGM, 15 of which were put forward by shareholders, including proposals which were critical of its use of plastics as well as its use of concealment agreements in contracts.

However, shareholders did approve a 20-for-1 stock split, which will see existing Amazon shareholders receive 19 shares of stock for every one they own as of 27 May.

Retail Systems has contacted Amazon for comment.

“Whilst we are disappointed that our proposal did not pass today, this vote was just the beginning in the fight for workers’ rights,” said Tulipshare founder and chief executive Antoine Argouges. “Amazon has not yet disclosed the full outcome of the vote but based on the positive conversations we have had with major shareholders this week we have every reason to believe our proposal received strong backing.”

He added: “Once the results are published, we will consider our options for continuing the fight for better working conditions at Amazon.”

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