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Photo: The Namibian
Shoprite and Checkers strike (archive photo).
By Ngaevarue Katjangua, by Charmaine Ngatjiheue
Researcher Lab Herbert Jauch said yesterday that Shoprite intimidated workers by suing those who went on strike to demand wage increases.
Shoprite is currently suing 93 of its workers who went on strike in July 2015 for wage increases.
The retailer is claiming N $ 4.5 million from workers, whom he claims to have lost because of the strike.
The Center for Popular Resistance, which operates out of the Nixon Marcus Public Law Office, has called for a boycott of Shoprite and its affiliates to support workers. They also called for a mass protest Thursday, this week.
Jauch stated that the fact that the company was suing the workers was an "absolute insult" since the company had begun the disciplinary hearing which cost him so much money.
"It is Shoprite who hired lawyers, even though they did not need an internal disciplinary measure, it was their choice and not the choice of workers, "he said
. He goes on to say that what Shoprite was doing was "a clear sign of the arrogance that the powerful have because they think that they can do whatever they want for the workers" (19659011). According to Jauch, people now understood what Shoprite was doing and that it was no longer just a matter of work rather than a strike, but a blatant bullying.
"The company wants to send a signal that it will deal with the workers who are going on Strik e, basically to intimidate them.Not only the current workers, but also the future workers," he said. -he explains.
Jauch also stated that under the Labor Act, workers risked losing their jobs if workers went on strike without protection. about.
"I think that's what it's mainly about.That makes it so important that Namibians show some solidarity with the Shoprite workers.Otherwise, we will be faced with huge problems in the future, "said Jauch.
Although there was a low turnout the last time an event was organized on the Shoprite issue, Jauch hoped that more people would support the workers involved. Workers 'lawyer, Nixon Marcus of Nixon Marcus' public law office, told The Namibian yesterday that he did not know what Shoprite was trying to get out of the disciplinary hearing and the trials
"It could be that Shoprite uses this is a way to intimidate workers because they know that these people can not afford a lot of money."
About the "Boycott Shoprite" campaign, Marcus said that it was the right choice, and that financial sacrifice required and a lot of solidarity considering that Shoprite was one of the cheapest retailers in the country.
Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Labor on the issue were unsuccessful yesterday.
Erkki Nghimtina said last year that he had tried to negotiate with the retailer's management, but that he had failed.
Nghimtina stated that the Ministry of Labor had explored all possible avenues to create good professional relations between Shoprite and its workers. "I urge Shoprite to turn a new page in labor relations in Namibia by entering into a mutually acceptable agreement with the workers, and so that the company can fully exercise its local workforce." "Nghimtina warned last year.
The Namibian contacted Samuel Philander, Shoprite's lawyer, of LorentzAngula Inc., but he declined to comment on behalf of the retailer, saying that he was not allowed to speak to the media.
Efforts to get feedback from Shoprite management also failed.
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