SuperSpar employees express their frustrations in a protest

“We are really tired!” said Tsholofelo Moumakwe, a frustrated employee of the local Superspar. Aggrieved employees participated in a two-day protest to voice their grievances. The protest occurred on Monday, 30 November and concluded on 1 December.

Moumakwe says numerous employees have made requests to management over the years, but none of their concerns or queries has been considered.

Some of the requests include provident funds, salary and overtime increases, a thirteenth cheque, promotion with a raise and care for the well-being of all employees. At least two employees, aged 32 and 40 respectively, said their salaries remained the same with no additions when they got a pro- motion, yet other employees’ wages had increased.

The employees concerned say, for the past five to six years, they have always been told that their requests would only be considered the following year. However, they allege that no action or plans have been put in place to reassure them or, at least, give them hope that their requests are being considered.

Some became disheartened and discouraged when they saw or heard of new Tops at Spar or other Spar supermarkets opening. They say their managers sometimes tell them there isn’t any money to meet their requests. The employees further allege that their salaries are sometimes paid late, they have no cafeteria or tea time and they sometimes work irregular hours. They claim that their overtime payment is too low.

They also allege that the store’s taps have been closed, so they are compelled to use those in the toilet facility for drinking water. They add that there is racism towards most of the employees and Johan Britz Snr., the owner of the Superspar, usually swears at them, threatens and intimidates them. The employees also allege that white and black people are paid different salaries, even if they’re in the same position.

Moses Diphoko agreed with his colleagues’ concerns but emphasised the need for the well-being of employees to be a priority. He refers to an incident in 2014 and claims that a colleague had died in one of their fridges. Diphoko and another colleague were allegedly instructed to take the body out, but he was never offered counselling or therapy sessions to this day. This worries him as an employee.

The Herald asked the local Super-Spar to confirm and comment on the claims made above. Britz stated that, according to the strike notice received by the CCMA, the employees raised the issues of an increase of R100 per member per month, a thirteenth cheque and provident fund. “The strike was called off yesterday afternoon and all the staff returned to work this morning. A meeting has been set up soon to discuss the issues with all parties involved,” he said.