Shoprite workers in Livingstone down tools

Unionised workers at Shoprite in Livingstone have downed tools demanding for improved salaries and conditions of service.

A check at Mosi-o-tunya shopping complex found workers outside singing and dancing.One of the workers talked to said the salaries they are getting are not enough to support their families.

And workers closed the shop with a lock which prompted management to look for someone to break the lock.

When workers saw the locksmith, they charged at him but he was rescued by armed Police officers that were in full riot gear.

The workers wrote on the placards denouncing the management saying it was making a lot of sales while workers were not paid enough money.

Some placards read “The company is growing, while workers are suffering”, another one read “More sales, more labor low salaries”.

When contacted for a comment National union of commercial and industrial workers chairman Robert Msanje said the union is
waiting for labor Minister Austin Liato to address them at 14 hours in Livingstone.

He said management at Shoprite was last time directed by the Minister to increase salary for workers but they did not do so.

And a worker who opted to be anonymous for fear of victimization said management have failed to agree with them regarding their salary increment, she said they will not go back to work until management meets their demands.

Efforts to get a comment from the Shoprite manager failed as he could not give any comments.