Zero tolerance for sexual harassment

The MCA is alarmed and saddened with the 60 Minutes report aired last night on sexual harassment in the mining industry.

MCA member companies recognise that sexual harassment occurs across society and our workplaces causing profound physical, emotional and psychological harm.

There is zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the mining industry.

It is unacceptable, against the law and must be eliminated from our industry’s culture and workplaces.

The industry is committed to eliminating sexual harassment and is working with mining companies to end this abhorrent behaviour.

Every individual, regardless of where they work, who they work for, how they are employed, or the tasks they undertake expects the same high standard of workplace safety, health and wellbeing.

Everyone in the industry has a personal responsibility for the safety, health and wellbeing of themselves and their work mates, as well as contributing to positive and respectful workplaces.

This includes speaking up without fear of retribution when unsafe work practices and unacceptable behaviours occur.

In 2021, the MCA released its Respect@Work industry toolkit which builds on the minerals industry’s commitment to eliminating sexual harassment and the MCA Industry Code on Eliminating Sexual Harassment.

The toolkit provides general guidance on the systems that can be developed to prevent and respond to risks of sexual harassment, and comprises a suite of fact sheets, guidance and templates.

The Australian mining industry’s core value and commitment is the safety, health and psychological wellbeing of its workforce, where everyone who goes to work returns home safe and healthy.

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