More than half of migrant women employed in Australia have experienced sexual harassment at work.
Research from Unions NSW, the peak body for the state’s labour unions, found a high occurrence of sexual harassment of migrant women in Australia on a temporary visa.
Temporary visas can include student, working holiday, graduate, and skill shortage visas.
Methodology
Unions NSW surveyed 3,400 migrant women who have held a temporary visa in Australia in the past six years. It also conducted over 80 interviews.
Participants were between 18 and 64 years of age. The average respondent was 30 years old.
Participants came from 55 countries, with the majority being from Asia (51%) and South America (41%).
Findings
- Three in four migrant women did not report their workplace sexual harassment experience.
- Over half of migrant women who experienced sexual harassment at work feared losing their job if they reported the issue.
“I tried to report it once, but it was pointless; senior leaders protect middle-level leaders and do not impose any punishment… I continued working because I did not have any options. Most workers are backpackers; they come and go so often. So usually, girls just try to tolerate it.”
A migrant woman working in Australia, interviewed by Unions NSW.
The proportion of migrant women sexually harassed at work by industry:
- Construction: 82%
- Retail: 50%
- Hospitality: 51%
- Cleaning: 42%
- Horticulture, e.g. farm work, fruit picking: 53%
In the construction and horticulture industry, a migrant woman is more likely to be sexually harassed by a coworker than a customer.
In the hospitality, retail, and cleaning industry, it’s more likely for a migrant woman to be sexually harassed by a customer.
This is the percentage of migrant women who said they experienced these forms of sexual harassment at work.
Unions NSW
Unions NSW said the report demonstrates “a culture of widespread silence and fear.”
Secretary Mark Morey said: “Migrants come to Australia to seek opportunity but are instead confronted by horrific workplace exploitation.”
The union is calling for legal support for migrant workers to encourage them to report harassment incidents.
It’s also suggested training programs and reforms to employment requirements for people on temporary visas.
1800 RESPECT
Call: 1800 737 732
Text: 0458 737 732
Video: 1800RESPECT.org.au
