Striking Shoprite workers reach agreement
Shoprite workers will receive N$250 more every month, with backpay to July last year.
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union and retailer Shoprite have reached agreement in a wage dispute, bringing to an end an almost two-month strike.
Shoprite’s workers embarked on the strike on 23 December after no agreement could be reached with the retailer.
Shoprite over the weekend caved in to the demands of the workers and agreed to a N$250 increase and a monthly salary no less than N$2 500, while part-time employees will receive N$12.82 per hour.
Backpay for the period 1 July 2020 to 31 January 2021 will be paid during February 2021 to all employees who were in the employ of the company at the date of signing this agreement.
A shift allowance of N$12.00 will be paid to all employees in the bargaining unit who clock out after 20:00.
Permanent part-time employees earning NS9.71 per hour and above will receive a one-off payment of N$1 000 before the end of January.
The workers had demanded a salary increment of N$600, a housing allowance of N$450, a transport allowance of N$500, and permanent employment for temporary workers who had worked for over a year.
Documents filed in court showed that many employees were employed on a temporary basis for extended periods ranging up to more than 10 years.
These temporary workers were paid between N$300 and N$400 per week.
The temporary employees did not receive transport allowances, nor was transport provided by the company and they received no other benefits such as a housing allowance or medical aid.
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union and retailer Shoprite have reached agreement in a wage dispute, bringing to an end an almost two-month strike.
Shoprite’s workers embarked on the strike on 23 December after no agreement could be reached with the retailer.
Shoprite over the weekend caved in to the demands of the workers and agreed to a N$250 increase and a monthly salary no less than N$2 500, while part-time employees will receive N$12.82 per hour.
Backpay for the period 1 July 2020 to 31 January 2021 will be paid during February 2021 to all employees who were in the employ of the company at the date of signing this agreement.
A shift allowance of N$12.00 will be paid to all employees in the bargaining unit who clock out after 20:00.
Permanent part-time employees earning NS9.71 per hour and above will receive a one-off payment of N$1 000 before the end of January.
The workers had demanded a salary increment of N$600, a housing allowance of N$450, a transport allowance of N$500, and permanent employment for temporary workers who had worked for over a year.
Documents filed in court showed that many employees were employed on a temporary basis for extended periods ranging up to more than 10 years.
These temporary workers were paid between N$300 and N$400 per week.
The temporary employees did not receive transport allowances, nor was transport provided by the company and they received no other benefits such as a housing allowance or medical aid.
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