This article contains references to rape and sexual harassment.
Two mining industry giants are accused of allowing unsafe workplaces where women allegedly face harassment and discrimination.
A machine operator facing a campaign of harassment before being urinated on at BHP sites, and a security guard receiving unwelcome sexual advances with a promise of permanent employment at Rio Tinto are among the allegations made in the lawsuits. Wednesday.
No action reportedly taken when woman working at Rio Tinto sites in Western Australia made offensive comments about rape or whether another woman working there was ‘f- – – capable’ , but she says she was later warned for swearing.
The woman who worked at BHP sites in Queensland and New South Wales claimed none of her colleagues did anything while she was mistreated as a “c- – -” working in the mining ‘just for sex’ by man who punched window. near her head and urged her to “come fight me.”
The man was escorted off site after making a formal complaint to a supervisor, who then allegedly designated her as unsuitable for further training.
She was allegedly harassed by a contractor who became violent after she rebuffed his repeated advances before he walked behind her in a parking lot and urinated on her.
She was never contacted about the complaint she filed, but her contract was not renewed, unlike her colleagues who remained on the job.
The two women, who are not being named for legal reasons, are the lead plaintiffs in class action lawsuits filed in Federal Court.
Joshua Aylward, an attorney with JGA Saddler, said these cases give voice to other women who feared losing their jobs if they spoke out.
“BHP and Rio Tinto sent female staff to these sites knowing there was a high risk of personal danger, then punished them with demotion, dismissal or discrimination when they reported it,” he said. -he declared.
Thousands of women potentially victims of harassment or discrimination on the two companies’ sites since 2003 are eligible to participate.
Companies will be legally required to contact women who have worked for them.
A Rio Tinto spokesperson told AAP the company was aware of the legal proceedings and took the allegations seriously, and did not tolerate sexual or gender-based harassment.
“This extends across our entire network, including business partners, contractors and suppliers,” they said.
“We are absolutely committed to creating safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces.”
The company pointed to an external review led by Australia’s former Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, in 2021, which a recent assessment of progress said was “helping to make Rio Tinto a better place to work”.
“It also found that there was still work to be done to foster an environment in which all employees feel safe, valued and respected,” the spokesperson said.
A BHP spokesperson told AAP it is committed to providing a safe and respectful workplace for everyone.
“Sexual harassment has no place in our workplaces or anywhere else,” they said.
“We deeply regret and unreservedly apologize to anyone who has ever experienced any form of harassment at BHP,” they said.
The company has focused on combating disrespectful behavior, including sexual harassment, which it considers a health and safety risk, with a wide range of controls focused on prevention, reporting and response, they said.
Aylward said women in mining “don’t want another independent review”.
“They want change and deserve a safe and respectful workplace.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit . In case of emergency, call 000.
