Employees of the Rundu Cash and Carry shops are unhappy with their working environment, which they describe as unconducive.

Over a hundred employees of Rundu Cash and Carry held a demonstration against alleged unfair treatment and low salaries.

The employees get paid N$1250 per month, which they claim varies every month.

"Our bosses don't treat us like workers; they treat us like slaves. Even if you're pregnant, you have to pull heavy stock, whether it's beans, salt, or 50 kg of maize meal, or you'll lose your job," said Ignatia Shikongo.

Although they claim that they are deducting social security, they are not registered with the commission. They also pay N$20 per month, for which they have no idea what it is for.

"We are really suffering with those people; we don't know where else to face or take our problems; we are tired everywhere, like labor, like the union NAFAU, but nothing happens because they used to pay them. On our annual leave, we only go once a year, and it's only 24 days, not a full month. Coming to salaries, if they know that this month you will go on our annual leave, which means you will not get your full salary because they will deduct."

They claim that they buy their uniform for N$150 and work a 13-hour shift without a lunch break.

They are demanding for the shop to be closed until they are provided with pay slips, as well as the removal of shop manager Rex Panjwani, whom they claim mistreats and insults them.

Workers gave him four working days to give them feedback.

Panjwani said he would forward the petition to the Human Resources Department.

The NAFAU Representative in Rundu, Paulus Mushongo, said the union no longer represents the employees after they stopped paying their contributions of N$7 in 2020.