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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) recently launched the Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI). The Institute is tasked with undertaking research that has a bearing on the welfare of workers in general and informs policies and interventions aimed at making sure that workers interests are protected.

SATRI was jointly formed by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Mineworkers Investment Trust (MIT) in recognition of the fact that factual and timely information has become critical in advancing the interests of workers and workers communities. Moreover, information or disinformation had become a tool that was being used against workers interest. Hence there was a need to establish a competent and well-staffed research institute to collect, analyse and provide the recommendation on matters pertaining to workers and their communities.

The highlight of SATRI’s launch was a release of a book on survey findings of challenges facing women at the workplace in the mining, energy and construction sectors of South Africa. The survey was SATRI’s first field research undertaking. It was aimed at collecting factual information to guide future interventions aimed at increasing the number of women gainfully employed in the mining, construction, and energy sectors. An important finding from the national survey was that career progress was the major challenge faced by women in the workplace, across 3 sectors, irrespective of the region.

Pulane Mafoea, a Research Specialist at SATRI who led the research said men still use abusive and discriminatory language when they work with women especially in the mining and construction sectors that are male dominated.

"Supervisors prefer to work with men because men are seen to be stronger and faster for production. Women feel that their managers are not supportive of them. The policies at work are not women friendly," Mafoea said.

Copies of the book are available for the journalists who want to review the book.

The institute is named Sam Tambani who was a chairperson of the National Education Sub-committee of NUM, a political activist, and a community leader. Sam was killed on 14 April 1993 at Protea Police Station in Soweto while leading a peaceful demonstration against Chris Hani’s murder Sam

Issued by NUM