Choppies employees have handed over a petition to the company management, in which they claim unfair treatment.

 Workers gathered at the Khomas Grove Mall in Khomasdal, charging that they have been underpaid since the Botswana-based retail chain started operating in Namibia since 2017.

They say they are unhappy with the recent retrenchments and introduction of the 'flexi hour' contract.

Under this arrangement, they will only work for a few hours, depending on the operational needs – fewer hours and less pay.

Deputy General Secretary of the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) Absalom Willem called on the company to withdraw the contract.

 “If they don't want to adhere to our terms, they are going to leave it and go, because we cannot have a system whereby workers are suffering because of this. So they must withdraw their contract as soon as possible,” he stated.

 A retrenchment notice was issued to 200 employees in March this year due to the National Minimal Wage implemented in January.

 However, the company reportedly said that it could not pay the workers the N$18 per hour rate.

 A Butchery Assistant at Choppies, Bonifatius Kaulinge demanded that any employee that may be recruited after the retrenchment process, should be provided with an 8-hour contract, and working only forty-five hours a week.

 The employees are calling for fair treatment and dignity at the workplace, arguing that the workers' contribution brings growth for the company.

 Choppies Manager, Seth Ganaseb received the petition and promised to hand it over to the relevant department.