Shoprite CEO Whitey Basson’s R100m (about N2.3 billion) remuneration was a big issue as workers gathered in Johannesburg for the march organised by the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Friday.

Some workers joined the march dressed in their red Shoprite work T-shirts to express their frustrations over working conditions at the huge retail chains.

“That is so bad because if I compare my salary and his‚ it’s not the same‚” said one of the workers.

“He is my boss‚ but if I could receive at least R1,000 a week if I worked 40 hours it would be better. I heard that he [Basson] is saying he is giving his employees R4,000 a month‚ but it’s not true. For a temporary worker, the maximum pay is R3,000‚ that is if you worked maximum hours.”

Shoprite workers were upset this week to learn from the group’s annual report that Basson’s remuneration included R49.7m in basic pay for the 12 months to June in line with the previous year‚ and a once-off R50-million performance-related bonus. This was for trading profit growth of 15%‚ above the internal target of 11%‚ the retailer said.

“We get paid little money. (For) a week you get R500 and that is not enough‚” said one of the workers. “They don’t treat us right at Shoprite. When your shift starts at a certain time‚ usually we get there 30 minutes early‚ but you are asked to remain an extra hour after your shift but there is no extra pay for that.”

The workers also complained about their prospects of getting permanent employment.

“We have a 5% chance of becoming permanent. Most of us work as temporary workers. We don’t have the comfort of knowing that our jobs are stable for a long time. Our chances of becoming permanent are very slim‚” said one.

Protesting Cosatu-affiliated unions are calling for a decent wage and seeking to highlight the plight of the workers in various sectors.

•Adapted from a Business Day (South Africa) report. Photo shows Shoprite CEO Whitey Basson.

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