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'Enough is enough': sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry
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 'Enough is enough': sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry
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The Community Development and Justice Standing Committee was asked to inquire into and report on the sexual harassment against women in the FIFO (Fly-in Fly-out) mining industry.
In particular, the committee considered:
- Is there a clear understanding of the prevalence, nature, outcomes and reporting of sexual harassment in FIFO workplaces?
- Do existing workplace characteristics and practices – including but not limited to workplace cultures, rosters, drug and alcohol policies and recruitment practices – adequately protect against sexual harassment?
- Are current legislation, regulations, policies and practices adequate for FIFO workplaces in Western Australia?
- What actions are being taken by industry and government to improve the situation and are there any examples of good practice?
During the inquiry, the committee considered a wide range of evidence. They received 87 written submissions, 55 of which came from people with personal experience of the issue. The committee heard testimony from 44 people representing companies, organisations or providing professional testimony, as well as several brave individuals who told of their personal experience of sexual harassment in the sector. Members of the Committee also travelled to four sites, including town-based accommodation and remote mine sites.
Regulators and other government agencies have very limited understanding of the prevalence, extent and nature of sexual harassment and sexual assault in workplaces. The key regulators were not receiving comprehensive information from companies, and had limited systems to deal with that information it did receive. Companies believed they had unclear guidance on what information they needed to pass on to regulators. The committee also found that the formal reporting and information sharing arrangements between regulators and WA Police were not working as well as they should.
Ultimately, companies are responsible for what happens in workplaces, and for setting standards of acceptable behaviour. Individuals must be held to account for their behaviour. The recommendations in this report are targeted at exposing the behaviours and directing change at company, industry, regulatory and legislative levels.
