Abstract
The retail industry – especially the retail food sector – has provided jobs to people worldwide. There is relatively little research available on the indecent working conditions, work-related experiences, and strategies implemented by cashier workers to enhance their working conditions in South Africa. This study adds to the available literature by narrowing the focus to explore how Black women cashiers experience work in the supermarket retail space in Johannesburg, South Africa. Based on 15 semi-structured in-depth interviews with cashier workers employed by either Woolworths, Pick n Pay and Shoprite in and around Johannesburg, this study found that cashiers are subjected to a range of working conditions, with those at Woolworths considered decent, Pick n Pay indecent and Shoprite indecent and precarious. Cashiers from all three stores reported the same work experiences – especially when interacting with customers, which subjects them to emotional labour. The study also found that some cashiers are members of the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union, which has been ineffective in improving low wages, long working hours, health and safety hazards and insufficient union representation. Based on the themes above, this research contributes to a better understanding of the experiences of Johannesburg supermarket cashier workers.