Employees of Choppies Namibia at Swakopmund petitioned management, expressing dissatisfaction with "meagre earnings over the years and unfair labour practices".

Workers say N$8 per hour, which amounts to about N$1,500 per month, is insufficient and unable to meet their basic needs.

They were hopeful when the government introduced the national minimum wage of N$18 per hour this year, which was to have resulted in them taking home N$3,500 per month. 

However, they allege that Choppies responded by issuing retrenchment notices to over 200 employees in March this year, citing an inability to afford the new rate.

The retrenchment was later withdrawn, but affected staff were placed on flexi-hour contracts, earning them only N$1,100 per month.

In June, Choppies proposed alternatives to retain employees, including reducing weekly hours from 45, removing transport and food allowances, or replacing permanent contracts with flexi-hours. 

Memory Tjikondo, the spokesperson of the workers, said they demand that "Choppies must completely ban the Flexi Hours Contract, and the employees who signed the Flexi Hours Contract must be given their previous contract. Should the company retrench some of the employees, any employee who may be recruited after the retrenchment must be provided with an 8-hour contract working 45 hours a week and not a flexi-hours contract. Choppies must pay the National Minimum Wage of N$18.00 per hour."

They also call for the introduction of benefits such as pensions and housing allowances, as well as fair treatment and respect in the workplace.

The workers gave the company 10 working days to respond, warning that failure to do so may result in unspecified action.

The petition was handed over to the shop's branch manager, Benson Bees, who promised to forward the petition to the upper management.