“Frightening and Systemic”: Australia’s mighty mining sector is a breeding ground for sexual assaults

“Terrible and systemic”so he described a parliamentary report in Australia constant sexual attacks in the country’s mining sector, a powerful industry it represents billions of dollars.

The revelation is part of a parliamentary investigation that collects the testimonies of the victims.

The report describes widespread abuses against female workers who, due to their employment, spend weeks in solitary confinement in the state of Western Australia.

Testimonials

A woman describes it, for example took a hit which caused him to pass out when he returned to his room after finishing his work day. “When I woke up, my pants and underwear were up to my ankles. I was ashamed, violated, dirty and very confused,” he said.

Another said, “I’ve been to about half a dozen sites and I can honestly say I’ve been sexually harassed. in each of them.

“The degree to which it ranged from inappropriate comments and allusions, to obscene rumors, to being tempted without my consent, to being cornered in a laundromat, to having a genuine fear that I was about to be attacked.” .

Other women reported “power play behavior” known as “shoveling,” in which iron ore was dumped into truck cabs. if they have not complied with sexual requests.

In general, workers describe their exhaustion and the difficulties they go through as a result of it permanent harassment in the workplacelocated away from everythingin which they can’t even wash their underwear for fear of it being stolen when they are hung out to dry.

There are women who describe him as security agents they film them while they showerothers say they receive “vile” messages from their superiors.

Sexual favors in exchange for better working conditions

As part of this survey, the country’s Western Mining Workers’ Alliance states that more than a fifth of employees sexual favors were sought in exchange for better working conditions or a promotion.

“It is important that parliament, the government and the public are aware of the extent of the horrific violence and abuse women suffer while doing their jobs,” said Libby Mettam, who led this parliamentary inquiry.

This report follows an internal investigation released in February by Rio Tinto, which found that sexual assault, abuse, harassment and discrimination were common across the company.

The research highlights the experiences of women in Mining industry of Western Australia.

The report was delivered Thursday and reveals that sexual harassment is rife at sites operated by large mining companies, such as giants Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP, who participated in this investigation and admitted that employees were laid off for inappropriate behavior.

The historical report described bullying as “scary” and “generally accepted or overlooked”.

Australia’s wealthiest mining companies, including BHP and Rio Tinto, operate large operations in the remote Pilbara state region to extract iron, copper and other minerals.

Thousands of workers arrive by plane every season and stay in accommodations village field style.

With information from AFP

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