Resources employees found responsible for substandard conditions could be barred from future career opportunities, if industry advocates have their way.
The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) recently cracked down on sexual harassment at mine sites. The advocacy proposes new job selection criteria, professional conduct rules, and measures to prevent offenders from moving to different employers.
“[We are] developing clear expectations on hiring and promotion of candidates with shared values about respectful workplaces, guidance on sharing information on incidents across the industry, and preventing terminated employees moving across the industry,” MCA CEO Tania Constable said in a public statement.
“[We are also] delivering training materials and a series of webinars to support embedding of the national industry code.”
The remarks came after a mine worker allegedly told a female reporter he was sexually aroused and wanted to be her father. Amber Lilley claims she was inappropriately touched and “sexually propositioned” at a bar filled with delegates from the Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum at the Goldfields Arts Centre in downtown Kalgoorlie.
“[Men put] a hand on my lower back and [s]a[id] ‘Sorry honey’ as they tried to get past,” the Seven West Media deputy editor reported.
“Later on in the week at another sideline event a man in mining told me he had a ‘rager’ over me because I was wearing RM Williams boots, and made an inappropriate gesture. He then proceeded to tell me to ‘call him daddy’ before groping me as I walked away through the crowd and he followed.”
Lilley described the alleged incident as alarming, revolting and intimidating. She complained to her supervisor, the accused’s employer and police.
“MCA is profoundly disappointed by the alleged actions of some individuals on the margins of the recent Diggers and Dealers conference. The MCA is grateful to journalist, Amber Lilley, for her courage and strength in calling out this alleged abhorrent behaviour,” Constable said.
The decision-maker hopes all mining companies will encourage workers to come forward with their concerns and without fear of reprisal.
“Reporting incidents of sexual harassment is essential to holding individuals to account. Sexual harassment and all disrespectful behaviour is unacceptable, whether in the workplace or social settings,” she said.
“Every individual regardless of where they work, who they work for, how they are employed or the tasks they undertake should expect the same high standard of workplace safety, health and wellbeing.”
Diggers and Dealers organising chairman Jim Walker condemned the alleged behaviour.
“On behalf of forum owners Myles Ertzen and Sharon Giorgetta, and forum director Suzanne Christie, I am saddened and disappointed to learn of the alleged incident,” he said according to Seven West Media.
“Whilst the incident did not occur at a Diggers and Dealers event the forum has a zero-tolerance policy towards such behaviour.”
State Premier Mark McGowan urged the resources sector to take a moral stance on the matter.
“It was very disappointing. I would urge the industry and the people involved to make sure they do the right thing,” he said according to the media outlet.
“They are obviously under a lot of scrutiny and they need to be very careful about their actions.”
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