BHP and Rio Tinto to face sexual harassment class actions
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The news: BHP and Rio Tinto are facing class action cases over allegations of systemic sexual harassment and gender discrimination.
The context: Class action law firm JGA Saddler filed the two cases before the Federal Court on Wednesday and expect thousands of female workers to join group claims against the companies.
Litigation funder Omni Bridgeway is backing both class actions.
A Rio Tinto workplace review by former Australian sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick revealed "concerning behaviours" at the mining company, when it was published in November.
The lead claimant in the Rio Tinto case has alleged she suffered sexual harassment on a weekly basis while working as a security guard on Rio Tinto's Australian sites, including being sent explicit images and videos.
The BHP class action lead claimant worked as a drive-in drive-out operator and has alleged she was subjected to escalating "pranks" by male staff members, from colleagues disabling the battery of her car to urinating on her and defecating in front of her.
JGA Saddler has requested the Federal Court redact all names in the filings amid concerns for personal safety of the lead applicants.
What they said: “Women in mining don’t want another independent review, they want change, and they deserve a safe and respectful workplace. These class actions will give a voice to these women, many of whom have been too afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs or of workplace reprisals,” JGA Saddler lawyer Joshua Aylward said in a media statement.
“Having heard some of the most harrowing reports of harassment and intimidation that some women face on mining sites, I wouldn’t be recommending any women enter into the industry until these global companies genuinely make women’s personal safety a priority.”
The source: JGA Saddler media release
