Fortescue faces class action over sexual harassment at remote mine sites
Female workers have launched a class action lawsuit against Fortescue, alleging systemic sexual harassment, violence, and retaliation at the company's remote iron ore mines in Western Australia.
Fortescue hit with class action over sexual harassment allegations
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Fortescue, the Australian iron ore giant chaired by billionaire Andrew Forrest, by female workers who claim they experienced systemic sexual harassment, violence, and retaliation at remote mining sites. The lawsuit, lodged in the Federal Court of Victoria on Thursday, details alarming incidents including one woman alleging she was pulled into a dark alley where a man tried to forcibly kiss her, another finding a male stranger in her accommodation room, and a third being 'howled' at by male colleagues while in a communal dining area.
The legal action is being brought by law firm JGA Saddler and backed by UK litigation funder Aristata Capital. JGA Saddler special counsel Paris Hamrey stated that the allegations span from serious sexual assaults to everyday micro-aggressions. She highlighted a disturbing pattern: women on Fortescue sites were reportedly warned against washing their underwear in on-site laundries due to rampant theft of female underwear. 'It is horrendous to think mining women should have to worry about what should be a mundane task,' Hamrey said, adding that it raises concerns about escalation of offending and safety risks.
Fortescue's iron ore mines are located in remote areas of Western Australia, relying on a fly-in, fly-out workforce that stays in on-site accommodation villages during multi-week rosters. The class action seeks to determine whether Fortescue is liable for failing to adequately protect female workers from discrimination and sexual harassment between 2006 and 2025.
A Fortescue spokesperson declined to comment on specific claims before proceedings commence but reiterated the company's commitment to a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace, stating that sexual harassment and discrimination have no place at the company.
This is the third class action of its kind filed by JGA Saddler against a major mining company, following similar lawsuits against BHP and Rio Tinto, both of which remain before the courts. Hamrey noted that the cases reveal a systemic cultural failure in the mining industry, with most women working on remote sites experiencing some form of harassment or discrimination. She urged companies to strengthen and enforce policies and create safe working environments.
