TheCable

Employees of Shoprite, Africa’s largest food retailer, are currently protesting and demanding that the South African management pay them off before handing over the company to new management.

Staff who spoke to TheCable at the Ikeja City Mall branch accused the management of shying away from their responsibility.

At the Ikeja store, some employees could be seen blocking the entrance of the store while others gathered outside the premises chanting songs.

TheCable gathered that staff are also protesting at the Maryland and Akure branches.

“When the new company comes in, they will come with their own policy. What we are demanding is what we deserve. We heard that they have sold the company to Nigerian investors. What we need is a payoff so that by the time the new investors come in with their policies, the impact will be minimal,” Uche Madi, an employee of the company, told TheCable.

VIDEO: Ikeja Shoprite employees protest over ‘unpaid’ gratuity pic.twitter.com/jKw50mGG6D

— TheCable (@thecableng) March 2, 2021

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Olaitan Abiodun, who was described as the chairman of the Shoprite Employees Association, Ikeja branch, said employees have received information that the new investors will take over the business on April 1.

“We are here because Shoprite is shying away from their responsibility. We are supposed to have biannual negotiations and because they have sold off the company 100 percent, it will be handed over to the new investors on April 1,” Abiodun said.

In August 2020, the company announced its plan to sell its stake in the Nigerian business.

TheCable had reported that Persianas Nigeria Limited, a property development company, owned by Tayo Amusan, was the preferred bidder for the company.

In September 2020, the company’s management also announced plans to exit Kenya saying the business is underperforming relative to return requirements.