‘Spar supermarket owner must pay R12m to staff for breaking labour laws’ 24 February 2020

A Spar owner has been ordered to pay almost R12m to his staff for making “unlawful” deductions and not complying with national minimum wage laws. According to the labour department, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) granted eight arbitration awards against eight Spar outlets owned by a person identified only as “Mr Giannacoupolous”. The awards, the department said in a statement, compel the franchisee to comply with various orders issued – and pay all complainants a total of R11,935,478. He has 14 days to make the payments.

…The department conducted inspections at Spar Orchards, Dely Road, Doornport Spar, Montana Spar, Wierda Spar, Silverton Spar, Zambezi Super Spar, Rietfontein Spar, Silverplace Spar and Safari Spar in Rustenburg. These outlets employ 565 workers. “The relentless work that is carried out by our inspectors is contributing towards making a difference in the lives of vulnerable workforce. I exhort employers to make it their business to respect and comply with the labour laws of our country,” said labour department's inspector-general, Aggy Moiloa.