Retail giant Shoprite [JSE:SHP] announced that it would pay a R102 million bonus to frontline shop floor and distribution employees for continuing their work during the Covid-19 outbreak, in line with calls for business to protect workers during the crisis.
Shoprite is the largest retailer in Africa, with 2 934 stores in 15 countries, providing more than 147 000 jobs throughout the continent.
"Our employees are crucial players in the task ahead and the group wants to thank and reward them for their tireless efforts to stock our shelves with food and other essentials for our 29 million shoppers," said Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht in a statement.
Engelbrecht said the bonus would be paid on Thursday, 2 April and was one of the many measures Shoprite has taken to support its teams, including the supply of free hand sanitizer and expanded leave guidelines.
"In addition to this announcement may I once again urge customers to shop responsibly. Current gaps on supermarket shelves will be filled as our warehouses remain well stocked and new stock is arriving regularly," Engelbrecht said.