SVS workers to get 7% pay rise

By JUNIOR UKAHA

STRIKING workers from Super Value Store (SVS) in Lae, Morobe, will get a 7% pay rise next 

fortnight.

The workers and SVS management yesterday agreed on the pay rise and for them to return to work today.

Hundreds of workers from SVS branches in the city forcefully closed the shops and marched to the company’s head office at Angola Street with a list of demands, including a pay rise of 10% and increase in promotions and localisation of jobs occupied by expatriates.

Spokesperson Mai Sineka said their demands were genuine and were long-standing issues that had not been addressed.

SVS chief executive Rick Odea told the protesting workers their demands would be addressed and assured them that wages would be adjusted.

“I’ve agreed to your demands. It’s your turn to agree to some of my demands,” he told the workers. 

The workers agreed to return to work but said that if there were no changes to their pay packets next fortnight they would protest again.