Key facts
- Fortescue Metals Group is facing a class action lawsuit filed by current and former female employees.
- The lawsuit alleges systemic sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and hostile work environments.
- Claims include sexual assault, rape, stalking, and inappropriate conduct at remote worksites and accommodation villages.
- Women allege they were threatened or forced out of their jobs after complaining about misconduct.
- The class action covers incidents occurring between February 1, 2006, and December 5, 2025.
Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has been served with a class action lawsuit alleging decades of systemic sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and hostile work environments at its remote Australian worksites and accommodation villages. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court by law firm JGA Saddler and backed by UK litigation funder Aristata, represents current and former female employees.
Allegations detailed in the filings include widespread sexual assault, rape, and stalking, as well as incidents such as underwear theft from laundries, drinks being spiked, and promotions being offered in exchange for sexual favors. According to JGA Saddler, women who reported misconduct were often threatened, dismissed, demoted, silenced, or blacklisted from the industry. Some were allegedly told they had "resigned" shortly after informing the company of a pregnancy.
Paris Hamrey, special counsel at JGA Saddler, described the conduct as "horrendous" and highlighted concerns about safety risks to female staff. The class action covers women who worked at any Fortescue Australian mining hub or accommodation camp between February 1, 2006, and December 5, 2025. JGA Saddler has requested the Federal Court redact the names of the two lead applicants due to safety concerns.
This action follows a previous legal settlement where Fortescue agreed to spend $1.4 million on addressing inappropriate workplace behavior after an investigation by WorkSafe WA. Despite the company's claims of completed training, JGA Saddler asserts that significant changes have not occurred on the ground and that a cultural shift is needed from the top down.