276 workers at Rundu Cash and Carry stores have returned to work after recently being reinstated.

The employees were suspended from work after staging a demonstration in which they rejected low wages and ill-treatment at work.

They were supposed to commence with their duties on Wednesday, as agreed during a meeting.

However, upon arrival at work on Wednesday, the employees were not allowed to enter the shop.

"Yesterday, we came at eight o'clock because we signed our contract with Ndjendjela. When we got there, we were told to wait outside, and we stood outside waiting for Mr. Neghumbo. When he got here, we were told to sign for leave; at first, we refused because we did not agree to sign for leave when we were at the governor's office. We questioned that because we did not understand why we had to sign for forced leave; later, we signed. We were told to go home for 26 days after arriving today because we signed for leave."

Refusing to give up, the workers returned on Friday as early as six thirty, hoping that things would go better this time.

"The answer we got from Gottlieb Ndjendjela is that no, because he cannot afford to pay their leave days. We then suggest that, okay, since you don't pay them the two-month salary for December and January, you can at least compensate them for their leave days. For example, he agreed, asked for the calculation for all the leave days, and it was done and sent to him later."

The employees agreed to forfeit their leave days.

The company has agreed to a 10% raise in their current salary of N$1,200.