Fortescue Faces Class Action Over Sexual Harassment Claims at Remote Mines
One woman reported discovering a man in her room at Western Australia's fly-in, fly-out accommodation, while another stated she was 'howled' at, the federal court was told.
Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates.
Get our breaking news email, free app, or daily news podcast.
Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue is confronting a class action lawsuit brought by female workers alleging systemic sexual harassment, violence, and retaliation at the iron ore miner’s remote work sites.
The lawsuit, lodged in the federal court in Victoria on Thursday, includes an allegation that a woman was pulled into a dark alley where a man "tried to stick his tongue down my throat." Another female employee reportedly found a male stranger in her room upon returning to her accommodation. A third woman claimed she was "howled" at by male colleagues while attending a communal eating area.
The class action has been initiated by law firm JGA Saddler and is supported by UK litigation funder Aristata Capital.
JGA Saddler special counsel Paris Hamrey stated on Thursday that the allegations ranged from "serious sexual assaults through to day-to-day micro aggressions."
"One of the most disturbing regular reports is women on work sites being warned against washing their underwear in on-site laundries because theft of female underwear is rife," Hamrey said.
"It is horrendous to think mining women should have to worry about what should be a mundane task. Aside from a violation, it raises concerns about escalation of offending and highlights safety risks to female staff."
Fortescue’s iron ore mines are situated in remote regions of Western Australia. The company employs a large fly-in, fly-out workforce who reside at on-site accommodation villages during their weeks-long rosters.
The litigation aims to determine whether Fortescue is liable for allegedly failing to protect female workers from exposure to discrimination and sexual harassment from 2006 to 2025.
A spokesperson for Fortescue, chaired by billionaire founder Forrest, said it would be inappropriate to comment on any claims before the proceedings commenced.
"Fortescue is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees and contractors," the spokesperson said.
"Sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, and other behaviour that makes people feel unsafe have no place at Fortescue."
This case against Fortescue is the third class action filed by the law firm against a major mining company over allegations of widespread sexual harassment, sexual violence, and sex discrimination, with BHP and Rio Tinto previously facing similar claims.
The actions against BHP and Rio Tinto remain before the courts.
Hamrey noted that the three lawsuits demonstrate a failure of culture within the sector.
"The mining industry has a real problem with women – it’s most women, if not all, working on remote sites that have suffered some form of sexual harassment or sex discrimination," she said.
"These companies actually need to stand up and address issues ... strengthen their policies, actually enforce the policy, and provide a space where women feel safe to work."
