Government warns Shoprite
Labour minister Erkki Nghimtina has joined the fray against South African retailer Shoprite/Checkers, calling on the company to respect local labour laws.
Nghimtina yesterday accused Shoprite of exploiting its workers, saying they were subjected to low wages and no fringe benefits.
He labelled Shoprite as an “anti-union” organisation and added that his ministry's attempt to address the issue with the Shoprite management proved futile.
“Apart from low pay and the absence of basic fringe benefits, such as transport allowance, Shoprite and Checkers employ a large complement of employees referred to as permanent part-time employees who constitute approximately 42% of the Shoprite and Checkers Namibian total workforce. These employees do not have fixed time schedules and are paid less per hour than full-time employees and normally do not work a full week,” said Nghimtina.
The minister was speaking at a media briefing which dealt specifically with the Shoprite labour-related issues, which also includes disciplinary charges brought against its workers after participating in a 2015 strike.
“In November 2015, I met with Shoprite officials to discuss the range of issues that impeded harmonious labour relations and decent work at Shoprite. To my disappointment the company only sent its local lawyer and a local human resource officer,” said Nghimtina. He urged the company to recognise the trade unions representing the workers.
“It is my great concern that as of today, the unhappy state of labour relations and instability continues at Shoprite. The disciplinary hearings against approximately 100 workers have been dragged on for two years. The low wages and poor conditions of employment persist, including the permanent part-time employment without guaranteed hours of work. Shoprite remains anti-union,” said the minister.
“My standpoint and I believe is a key factor that can improve the situation at Shoprite is the recognition of a trade union as the representative of the employees.” The minister was visibly uncomfortable when members of the media wanted to know how his ministry would deal with Shoprite if they continued to ignore his demands.
“We can put all the facts together and then take them to court, that is all we can do,” said Nghimtina.
In 2015, Shoprite workers were charged with violating several company regulations, including participating in an unlawful strike and gross insubordination.
They were also charged with destruction of private property and for interfering with a company investigation. Over 100 workers at Shoprite in Windhoek were facing disciplinary charges for taking part in the 2015 strike. Shoprite had already dismissed 176 workers at Rundu and Gobabis.
According to the labour ministry, Shoprite/Checkers employ over 4 300 employees throughout Namibia.
SHONA NGAVA
Nghimtina yesterday accused Shoprite of exploiting its workers, saying they were subjected to low wages and no fringe benefits.
He labelled Shoprite as an “anti-union” organisation and added that his ministry's attempt to address the issue with the Shoprite management proved futile.
“Apart from low pay and the absence of basic fringe benefits, such as transport allowance, Shoprite and Checkers employ a large complement of employees referred to as permanent part-time employees who constitute approximately 42% of the Shoprite and Checkers Namibian total workforce. These employees do not have fixed time schedules and are paid less per hour than full-time employees and normally do not work a full week,” said Nghimtina.
The minister was speaking at a media briefing which dealt specifically with the Shoprite labour-related issues, which also includes disciplinary charges brought against its workers after participating in a 2015 strike.
“In November 2015, I met with Shoprite officials to discuss the range of issues that impeded harmonious labour relations and decent work at Shoprite. To my disappointment the company only sent its local lawyer and a local human resource officer,” said Nghimtina. He urged the company to recognise the trade unions representing the workers.
“It is my great concern that as of today, the unhappy state of labour relations and instability continues at Shoprite. The disciplinary hearings against approximately 100 workers have been dragged on for two years. The low wages and poor conditions of employment persist, including the permanent part-time employment without guaranteed hours of work. Shoprite remains anti-union,” said the minister.
“My standpoint and I believe is a key factor that can improve the situation at Shoprite is the recognition of a trade union as the representative of the employees.” The minister was visibly uncomfortable when members of the media wanted to know how his ministry would deal with Shoprite if they continued to ignore his demands.
“We can put all the facts together and then take them to court, that is all we can do,” said Nghimtina.
In 2015, Shoprite workers were charged with violating several company regulations, including participating in an unlawful strike and gross insubordination.
They were also charged with destruction of private property and for interfering with a company investigation. Over 100 workers at Shoprite in Windhoek were facing disciplinary charges for taking part in the 2015 strike. Shoprite had already dismissed 176 workers at Rundu and Gobabis.
According to the labour ministry, Shoprite/Checkers employ over 4 300 employees throughout Namibia.
SHONA NGAVA
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