South Africa union to protest Walmart bid for local retailer

watchdog, demanding it blocks Walmart’s plan to buy local chain Massmart or attach tough conditions.
South Africa’s Competition Commission recommended last month that the world’s largest retailer’s plan to buy Massmart, South Africa’s third-largest listed store group by value, and which owns chains such as Game and Makro, for more than US$4 billion.
Shareholders overwhelmingly voted in favour of the US$2,3 billion deal in January, which should help Massmart speed up expansion in sub-Saharan Africa, a region with vast growth potential.
The final hurdle is the hearing by the Competition Tribunal, which begins Tuesday and is set to last until Friday.
The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) – which includes workers in the wholesale and retail sectors – is strongly opposed to the deal.
“We will tell the Competition Tribunal that we believe it is not in the best interest of South Africa for Walmart to be allowed into our country,” Bones Skulu, SACCAWU General Secretary, said in a statement. We will also outline the conditions that must apply in the event that the Tribunal believes differently and or otherwise rules that the company may enter,” Skulu said. – Reuters.

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