Women in the South African mining industry: an occupational health and safety perspective

Abstract

Since our attainment of democracy in 1994, the South African government has made and implemented a number of policies and legislative changes aimed at fast tracking economic growth in pursuit of a better life for all citizens. And as such, the government recently adopted a number of strategies aimed at opening up the mining sector for previously disadvantaged individuals, including women as part of its economic empowerment policy and in line with the Employment Equity Act. Of equal importance is the fact that the International Labour Organization has classified women workers as vulnerable workers with special occupational health needs.