Alarming rates of sexual harassment of migrant women in Australian workplaces

A Unions NSW survey of more than 3000 migrant women on temporary visas in Australian workplaces found more than half had experienced sexual harassment. See which industries were the worst.

A Unions NSW survey of more than 3000 migrant women on temporary visas in Australian workplaces found more than half had experienced sexual harassment. Picture: istock

New research has revealed alarming rates of sexual harassment of migrant women on temporary visas in Australian workplaces, who report being afraid they will lose their jobs if they speak up.

The Unions NSW survey of more than 3000 migrant women found 51 per cent had experienced sexual harassment in their workplace.

The construction industry was ranked the worst after 82 per cent of respondents in the sector reported they had experienced harassment at work.

Meanwhile, 53 per cent of horticulture industry workers reported experiencing harassment, followed by 51 per cent in hospitality, 50 per cent in retail and 42 per cent in the cleaning industry.

In one instance, a 19-year-old international student told Unions NSW that she was forced to flee from her restaurant manager’s car after he drove her to a secluded location and propositioned her for sex in exchange for more shifts at the restaurant.

The study also exposed a widespread culture of silence and fear – 75 per cent of the women who experienced harassment had not reported the incidents.

Half of all women surveyed said they were worried they would lose their jobs if they spoke up, and many said they were concerned there would be implications for their visa status if they reported the incidents, including 67 per cent of women surveyed who worked in the cleaning industry, 64 per cent in construction and 60 per cent in retail.

Women reported being fired, bullied, underpaid, forced into resigning and having shifts reduced when they did attempt to defend themselves, reject inappropriate behaviour, or report their harasser.

Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said migrants who came to Australia seeking opportunities were instead facing “horrific workplace exploitation”.

“Migrant women are facing sexually suggestive comments, intrusive questions, unwelcome touching and inappropriate physical contact,” Mr Morey said.

“This is reprehensible. It has to stop.”

Mr Morey said the study revealed an “unacceptable reality” for migrant women who worked in some of Australia’s “most essential yet vulnerable industries”.

“They are enduring sexual harassment in silence, feeling pressured to choose between their dignity and their livelihoods,” he said.

Unions NSW called on the government to take “urgent steps” to protect the women, including by removing visa conditions that made workers vulnerable, such as the 88-day farm work requirement.

It also called for the establishment of migrant worker centres to provide legal support and advocacy, education and training to address cultural misunderstandings and raise awareness of sexual harassment, as well as stronger workplace protections and funding for better employment pathways and training programs.