Shoprite withdraws Namibian summons

Shoprite has bowed to pressure from unions and has withdrawn the summons against 98 of its workers in Namibia. City Press reports that the company was suing the workers for R4.5m after they embarked on a strike for improved conditions and a 20% salary increase in 2015. Unions lambasted the retailer, and called for a boycott of all stores across South Africa. Trade unionist Zwelinzima Vavi has berated the supermarket chain for its continued ‘brutal exploitation’ of workers. ‘The company’s longevity can been credited to its ruthless business principles. Shoprite has always maintained a permanent work force of only 20% with 80% of its staff always being comprised of causal workers and underpaid workers,’ he said.