Amazon to hire 5000 warehouse workers at 17 locations

U.S. retail giant Amazon said it would be hiring 5,000 warehouse workers at 17 locations across the country. The online retailer is set to make the announcement just ahead of a presidential visit to an Amazon distribution center in Chattanooga, Tenn., The Washington Post reported. President Barack Obama is expected to talk about middle-class job growth in a visit to the center Tuesday. Amazon expects to hire for a variety of full time warehouse jobs that have healthcare benefits and a retirement savings plan, the Post said. "We're focused on sustained innovation across Amazon and want to help our employees succeed -- whether at Amazon or elsewhere," said Dave Clark, vice president of worldwide operations and customer service.. "We are investing for the large opportunity we have in front of us," Tom Szkutak, Amazon's chief financial officer, said in a call with reporters last week.