The Australian Human Rights Commission’s groundbreaking Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020) highlighted the alarming rate of sexual harassment in mining.
The report found that 40 per cent of the minerals industry workforce had experienced some form of sexual harassment in the past five years.
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The Australian minerals industry will be taking action to eliminate workplace sexual harassment in its response to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry (2020) findings.
This includes expanding the scope of the minerals industry’s safety and health policy and releasing a strong and direct statement on the importance of eliminating sexual harassment in Australian mining workplaces.
Safety is the core value of the Australian minerals industry and a safe and fair workplace is essential.
Yet with the Commission’s report finding that 40 per cent of the minerals industry workforce had experienced some form of sexual harassment in the past five years, with women more than twice as likely as men to be sexually harassed, it is clear that the industry needs to lead a decisive response and take stronger action.
The Safe, Healthy and Respectful Workplaces policy is focused on building and sustaining respectful workplaces, and combined with the industry’s commitment to eliminating sexual harassment – endorsed by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Board – will ensure Australian mining companies can work together to end unacceptable and illegal behaviour.
MCA said in the statement, “MCA member companies recognise that sexual harassment occurs across society and our workplaces causing profound physical, emotional and psychological harm.”
“The minerals industry strongly values diversity and inclusion and will bring renewed focus and leadership to create an industry culture that respects all people, eliminates sexual harassment, and stands up, supports and cares for all those affected by unacceptable behaviour.”
“The risk of sexual harassment exists in our industry in urban and remote offices and workplaces, accommodation and travel, through social events and social media channels.”
“Through committed leadership, we will develop an industry response that recognises and prevents sexual harassment and empowers people to speak up and take action where behaviours do not meet expected standards.”
“To implement this statement, an industry code and toolkit are being developed and will establish clear expectations and protocols on preventing and responding to sexual harassment in our workplaces.”
“The Australian mining industry’s leadership will drive cultural change in mining focused on eliminating sexual harassment in our workplaces.”
“The industry will use its approach to managing safety and health and engage with a broad range of stakeholders to encourage this essential cultural change across our business partners and within the communities in which we operate.”
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