Lusaka - Shoprite Holdings [JSE:SHP] has backtracked on a decision to fire 3 000 striking workers in Zambia after Lusaka threatened to revoke its licence, the labour minister said on Thursday.
"We told them we would revoke their trading licence if they went ahead with the dismissals," Fackson Shamenda told Reuters.
"I have now given them 10 days in which to negotiate and resolve the problem. All the outlets are working normally now and I am on my way to buy bread from Shoprite."
A spokesperson for Shoprite declined to comment immediately.
Shoprite announced the sackings after workers went on strike this week for higher wages, the labour minister said, adding the government wanted the company to pay wages "far above" the mininum wage.
Shoprite, Africa's largest retailer, has 30 stores in Zambia, according to its website.
"We told them we would revoke their trading licence if they went ahead with the dismissals," Fackson Shamenda told Reuters.
"I have now given them 10 days in which to negotiate and resolve the problem. All the outlets are working normally now and I am on my way to buy bread from Shoprite."
A spokesperson for Shoprite declined to comment immediately.
Shoprite announced the sackings after workers went on strike this week for higher wages, the labour minister said, adding the government wanted the company to pay wages "far above" the mininum wage.
Shoprite, Africa's largest retailer, has 30 stores in Zambia, according to its website.