Amazon defends the $212 million stock award for CEO compensation, saying it does not set short-term performance

On the morning of April 14, Beijing time, Amazon compensation committee defended Amazon's payment behavior and rejected shareholders' proposal to set a performance benchmark for stock awards.

In a recent proxy statement, Amazon said shareholders are increasingly concerned about the size of stock awards and exercise plans that CEO Jassi and other executives have received in recent years.

Amazon also met with investors last year to discuss executive pay policies. So this is at least the second year in a row that the company has met with investors to listen to their concerns about pay policy.

"the committee will not appease short-term criticism by setting short-term performance conditions, and we believe that it is in the best interest of shareholders to focus management on projects that are good for long-term shareholder value." Amazon said in an agency statement.

Mr. Jassi received a $212 million stock award (currently about 1.459 billion yuan) when he became Amazon's CEO in 2021, with an exercise period spanning 10 years.