WINDHOEK – Retail workers will be allowed to vote following allegations that some employers will not close shop on Friday which was decreed a public holiday.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has issued a declaration decreeing November 28 a holiday.
Concerns have been mounting that some employers in the retail sector may have threatened to dismiss staff that will not report for duty tomorrow when over 1.2 million voters are expected to go to the polls. New Era was informed that workers at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) were told they would be working on Friday. However, when contacted for comment KFC’s human resources officer Linda Ndinashenge said workers will be working shifts just like any other normal day, as is the case even on other public holidays.
“They will work shifts like always and those not on duty can use the time they have off to go and vote before their shift begins. The first shift is from 07h00 to 15h00 and the second shift starts from 15h00 therefore they can use that time to go and vote,” stated Ndinashenge.
Pick n Pay will open for business from 08h00 until 18h00, which was confirmed by its manager in Windhoek, Emmanuel Angula, who said they have given workers an option to work or not to work.
“We will open and working on election day will be voluntary. We informed our workers that if you don’t want to come, don’t come and those that will come will be allowed to go and vote at the nearest polling station and can come back to work,” said Angula
Shalck Pienaar at Shoprite said they will operate from 08h00 to 13h00, adding: “We perceive this day as any other public holiday and therefore we will open for the stipulated time and workers will get paid their overtime.”
However, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, George Simataa, in a media statement said employees can only work provided they work in essential sectors such as shops and hotels that lawfully operate on a public holiday, performing domestic services in a private house, health and social welfare care in hospitals, hospices, orphanages and old age homes; and work in which continuous shifts are performed.
By Obrein Simasiku