Key Points
- New South Wales union surveys more than 3,300 immigrant female workers
- 51% of respondents experienced sexual harassment… The construction industry is the most serious (82%)
- 75% of immigrant female workers who have experienced sexual harassment “cannot tell anyone about sexual harassment”
More than half of immigrant female workers have experienced sexual harassment at work, according to the latest survey released by New South Wales Unions.
The report found that most female victims did not report it out of fear of retaliation or losing their visas. In particular, immigrant women holding temporary visas were found to be unable to properly report their cases due to concerns that they could lose their jobs if they speak out. Immigrant women who said they could not tell anyone after being sexually harassed amounted to 75% of all respondents.
Lin left Vietnam and came to Australia when she was 19 years old. Lynn, who worked in the Sydney food and beverage industry, spoke out about being frequently sexually harassed at work.“When I came to work wearing loose-fitting clothes, my boss told me I had to wear tight-fitting clothes to come to work,” she said, adding that she had also been subject to inappropriate touching and racist comments from male colleagues and customers.Lynn, who was paid $15 an hour, raised the issue with her employer and negotiated her working hours, but she said she was sexually assaulted by her employer that day.The survey of more than 3,300 immigrant women conducted by the New South Wales Trades Union Association found that more than half (51%) of respondents had experienced sexual harassment at work.Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and New South Wales Women’s Minister Jody Harrison announced the report, saying, “I wish I could say this is a problem in history that we look back on with horror, but that’s not the case. “This is a problem that women still live with every day,” he said.Sexual comments and jokes were the most common type of harassment, and many women reported experiencing unwanted touching, kissing, inappropriate eye contact, and repeated pressure to date.
In particular, the industry with the highest rate of sexual harassment was found to be the construction industry. In the construction industry, 82% of respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment. The horticulture industry followed with the highest rate of sexual harassment at 53%, the food and beverage industry at 50%, and the cleaning industry at 41%.
“Migrants come to Australia seeking opportunity, but they face appalling workplace exploitation issues,” said union general secretary Mark Romy. “This is reprehensible. “It has to stop now,” he said.“There is a culture of intimidation in many workplaces in Australia,” Romy said. “There are men who perceive women as sexual objects to be exploited, and there are cultural and racist stereotypes that influence men’s behavior.” pointed out.“This is a very complex issue when you have a woman working in Australia and her family back home relying on the income she earns,” says Cultural Divers Women co-founder Div Pillay.“I want to let people who are exposed to sexual harassment in the workplace know that they are not alone,” said Lin, who is from Vietnam. She hopes that her story will empower many immigrant female workers.Meanwhile, the New South Wales Trades Council is exploring ways to strengthen reporting protections for workers on temporary visas so they can take legal action if they experience sexual harassment at work.Australian public broadcaster SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) Korean program class Follow . and You can download the SBS Audio app from . To choose to replay the entire Korean program aired every day, Click .
Of cultural backgrounds on how harassment is perceived and addressed. This can lead to further isolation for immigrant women who are already vulnerable.
Our first guest is Mark Romy, the general secretary of the New South Wales Trades Union, and our second guest is Div Pillay, the co-founder of Cultural Divers Women. Thank you both for joining us today.
Mark, can you tell us more about the survey conducted by your organization and the shocking findings that indicate a widespread problem of sexual harassment in the workplace for immigrant female workers?
Mark Romy: Thank you for having me. Yes, we conducted a survey of more than 3,300 immigrant female workers in New South Wales and found that 51% of them had experienced sexual harassment at work. The most common types of harassment were inappropriate comments and jokes, unwanted touching, kissing, and repeated pressure to date. However, what was most concerning was the high percentage of women who did not feel safe reporting their experiences. In fact, 75% of all respondents who experienced sexual harassment reported that they couldn’t tell anyone about it. This is a systemic issue that needs urgent attention.
Our survey also revealed that the construction industry has the highest rate of sexual harassment, with 82% of respondents reporting some form of harassment. This is appalling and needs to be addressed head-on. We need to ensure that workplaces are safe and inclusive for all workers, regardless of their gender, nationality, or immigration status.
Div, from your perspective, what are some of the unique challenges faced by immigrant female workers who experience sexual harassment at work?
Div Pillay: Thank you for having me. Immigrant female workers, especially those on temporary visas, face several challenges when it comes to reporting sexual harassment. They often fear losing their jobs or their visas if they speak up, which creates a culture of silence and allows harassment to persist. Additionally, language barriers and cultural differences can make it difficult for them to understand their rights and how to report incidents. Many of these women are also fearful of negative consequences for themselves and their families back home, which can make it even harder for them to come forward.
The other challenge is the lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity in some workplaces. Some employers and colleagues may not understand the impact
