NUM Women's Structure to embark on a national march to the Chamber of Mines, Eskom, and Safcec on Saturday.

NUM Press Statement, 24 August 2017

NUM Women's Structure to embark on a national march to the Chamber of Mines, Eskom, and Safcec on Saturday.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Women Structure will embark on a national march to the Chamber of Mines, Eskom and South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec) on Saturday, 26 August 2017 to hand over a memorandum of grievances related to transformation and women empowerment at various workplaces.

Gender discrimination still prevails in the mining industry with women comprising a mere 10.9% of the entire workforce. This figure includes women who are doing general work, those on the surface (mines cleaning stopes) and traffic calmers in construction. Most women are being subjected to heavy lifting duties leading them to suffer from back and waist pains, and that alone contribute to disturbed sexual productive cycles and unnecessary miscarriages.
Women still occupy low paying positions with fewer opportunities for development and or empowerment with serious salary disparities having been reported.

In most cases, women are required to work harder to prove themselves with lack of support from both their male colleagues and managers.

There is still non-compliance by employers to legislative requirements. Women are still being refused their basic rights such as maternity leave, career progressive placements during and after pregnancy, and the provision of suitable health and safety Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPE).

“We have undertaken a study to determine progress made by employers. Our study has confirmed that minimal progress has been achieved in most areas confirming many other reports such as the Employment Equity Report, Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the Presidential report,” says Phumeza Mgengo, NUM Women's Structure National Secretary.

Those report confirmed that women in sectors that the NUM organises still experience gender discrimination and exclusion that manifests itself in various forms.

The NUM Women Structure demands that sexual harassment when reported, be treated tantamount to unfair discrimination and that victims should not be victimized.

“We demand an end to differences in pay and favouritism at workplace based on racial differences. We also demand a meaningful equity and inclusive economic, effective economic participation of women in the mainstream business in our sectors. We demand access to decision making and career advancement,” added Mgengo.

The details of the march are as follows:
Date: 26 August 2017
Venue: Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg
Gathering Time: 09h00
Marching Time: 11h30

For more information, please contact:

Phumeza Mgengo: NUM Women's Structure National Secretary: 076 359 4268

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167