MELBOURNE (Reuters) – BHP Group laid off 48 employees for sexual harassment in the two years ended June, it said to a Western Australian government investigation into such incidents at mining camps in the mineral-rich state.
The government inquiry comes because the sector is grappling with a serious shortage of skilled workers and a low percentage of women.
BHP received four rape allegations, one attempted rape allegation and other reports of involuntary sexual contact, and 73 reasoned reports of sexual harassment from June 2019 to June 2021, a filing said.
Two rape allegations had been substantiated, the investigations against one were ongoing and one was unfounded, the report said, which outlined comprehensive measures to reduce such incidents.
This includes $ 300 million to increase warehouse safety by improving employee training and screening practices, making it easier to report incidents, and ensuring its contractors adhere to these rules.
Political cartoons about world leaders
Other major miners, including Rio Tinto Fortescue, trade unions and advocacy groups, have also made contributions to the investigation, which will make recommendations to the Parliament of Western Australia in April 2022.
(Reporting by Melanie Burton. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Copyright 2021 Thomson Reuters.
Comments are closed.