Retail merchandisers cry foul
While Wutow Trading says it cares for its employees’ well-being, merchandisers from the company have alleged that they have not received a salary increment since 2019.
The workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the last salary adjustment was by just 1%, while bonuses were recently awarded only to those in higher positions.
Reps and field marketers received bonuses in December 2022, while merchandisers at the bottom of the organisational structure got nothing, they said.
The reps and field marketers allegedly got vouchers worth N$4 000 and N$1 500 respectively.
Speaking up
According to the disgruntled workers, field marketers also received vouchers worth N$5 000 last month.
“We turned to the media because the issue is that if you speak out, you will be targeted and be dismissed. There is no justification as to why only some got bonuses. What did the reps and field marketers do right for them to deserve those bonuses?
“We, the merchandisers, are doing most of the work, which is why the company is able to reach its targets. The fact that they can reward the reps and field marketers is because we are reaching our targets, hence our demand for salary increments and bonuses is justified,” the group said.
“We too have families and things in the shops are expensive. They must be fair to all of us because the success of the company comes from everyone’s effort.”
Company responds
The company warehouses, distributes, sells, merchandises and promotes leading brands in food, beverage, personal care, home care, sanitary care, snacks, baby and tobacco products.
When approached for comment, Wutow CEO Markus van der Merwe told Namibian Sun that issues relating to remuneration are confidential and not for public consumption.
He, however, added that the allegations pertaining to discrimination regarding bonuses and the issue of salary increments are false.
"Wutow Trading categorically confirms that we are a responsible corporate citizen and the well-being of our employees is of the highest priority.
"Remuneration of our employees is governed by and strictly adheres to company policies and relevant employee service agreements, in line with the Namibian Labour Relations Act," he said.
Wutow is no stranger to labour issues - in October 2017, disgruntled workers took a dispute over salary increases and incentives to the labour court, reports read.
[email protected]
The workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the last salary adjustment was by just 1%, while bonuses were recently awarded only to those in higher positions.
Reps and field marketers received bonuses in December 2022, while merchandisers at the bottom of the organisational structure got nothing, they said.
The reps and field marketers allegedly got vouchers worth N$4 000 and N$1 500 respectively.
Speaking up
According to the disgruntled workers, field marketers also received vouchers worth N$5 000 last month.
“We turned to the media because the issue is that if you speak out, you will be targeted and be dismissed. There is no justification as to why only some got bonuses. What did the reps and field marketers do right for them to deserve those bonuses?
“We, the merchandisers, are doing most of the work, which is why the company is able to reach its targets. The fact that they can reward the reps and field marketers is because we are reaching our targets, hence our demand for salary increments and bonuses is justified,” the group said.
“We too have families and things in the shops are expensive. They must be fair to all of us because the success of the company comes from everyone’s effort.”
Company responds
The company warehouses, distributes, sells, merchandises and promotes leading brands in food, beverage, personal care, home care, sanitary care, snacks, baby and tobacco products.
When approached for comment, Wutow CEO Markus van der Merwe told Namibian Sun that issues relating to remuneration are confidential and not for public consumption.
He, however, added that the allegations pertaining to discrimination regarding bonuses and the issue of salary increments are false.
"Wutow Trading categorically confirms that we are a responsible corporate citizen and the well-being of our employees is of the highest priority.
"Remuneration of our employees is governed by and strictly adheres to company policies and relevant employee service agreements, in line with the Namibian Labour Relations Act," he said.
Wutow is no stranger to labour issues - in October 2017, disgruntled workers took a dispute over salary increases and incentives to the labour court, reports read.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article