'Camera in loo' shop backs down

Workers fired after standing up to their employer for allegedly installing a surveillance camera in their staff bathroom at a Pretoria grocer's have been reinstated following intervention by Lawyers for Human Rights.

The Times reported last week that 40 male employees at Helgas grocery, in Silverton, Pretoria, were fired after staying away from work in an unprotected strike in protest against a surveillance camera they said they had discovered in a bathroom.

The employees were fired for defying an ultimatum to return to work on Thursday.

Lawyers for Human Rights' candidate attorney Mametlwe Sebei said he met shop owner Hein Krugmann on Saturday.

He said it was agreed that the employees would be reinstated.

"Workers have been reinstated and disciplinary action [against them] abandoned without prejudice to their right to pursue action against the invasion of their privacy" Sebei said.

The shop's management has denied installing the camera.

Employee Nelson Makanatleng yesterday said he was happy to be back at work but vowed the surveillance matter would be pursued.

"This gives us a chance to deal with the camera issue while we are working," he said.