The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) supports an inquiry into claims of coercive, bullying, intimidatory and illegal practices and conduct by the CFMEU Queensland branch.
This type of behaviour is never acceptable. The inquiry will play an important part in highlighting some of the ongoing cultural issues in the construction industry but will need to form part of a multi-pronged approach working with the whole sector to tackle bad behaviour and drive meaningful change.
The Crisafulli Government yesterday announced the Commission of Inquiry into the Queensland division of the CFMEU following the findings of the ‘Violence in the Queensland CFMEU’ report.
Conducted on behalf of the CFMEU Administrator by Geoffrey Watson SC, the report featured just 55 people interviewed over the course of a three-month investigation as many of those approached, including critical witnesses and victims, feared retribution.
The Inquiry will have the power to compel documents and witnesses and deliver protections for witnesses. The Crisafulli Government has also referred the report to the Qld Police Service for their consideration.
NAWIC’s mission is primarily focused on creating a fair, equitable and respectful construction industry for all as we work to improve the retention and attraction of women to the sector.
NAWIC Qld Chapter President Emma McCaughey said the Watson Report has shone a light on a culture in which women are not treated with respect and do not feel safe working on construction sites.
“This Commission of Inquiry provides an opportunity for women to feel safe to come forward with their stories, and to have trust in a process that will help to ensure these behaviours are removed from our industry,” she said.
“We will continue to work with the Crisafulli Government and support our female workers to ensure violence, harassment and bullying is stamped out for good.
“With an estimated resource shortfall of 55,000 workers expected over the coming years to deliver the state pipeline, and only 13.9% female participation in Qld with only 4.8% female participation in trades, we must attract, recruit, retain and promote women in the construction sector and to do this we need a fair, equitable and respectful industry.”
NAWIC CEO Cathryn Greville said NAWIC remains committed to working with government, the construction sector and unions to bring about culture change.
“It is incredibly disturbing, although not surprising, that the Watson Report identifies hostility towards women as being the single worst aspect of the violence perpetrated,” she said.
“We support the government’s decision to launch the Commission of Inquiry to address this behaviour and bring about change on construction sites in Queensland.
“A change in culture across the sector nationally is long overdue. While great inroads have been made by dedicated and forward-thinking leaders and organisations, too many women in construction continue to face aggressions and micro-aggressions.
“The focus must be on building a sector that people – of all genders, races, ages, strengths and abilities – choose to join and stay, especially during this period of massive skills and talent shortages. This is the responsibility of the whole sector – industry, government and unions alike.”
She said the industry needs more than 400,000 new workers nationally over the next five years. Yet, a staggering 110,000 workers leave each year through attrition.
The full talent pool remains largely untapped, with women nationally making up only 12.4 per cent of the workforce and just 3.4 per cent of trades roles. The industry is also struggling to attract enough young people to build the talent pipeline and offset the reality that a quarter of the workforce is over 55, with many nearing retirement.
“Unsafe and intimidating conduct is never acceptable, and the impacts of poor behaviour over a long period are reflected in the current inequity and poor representation, along with the mental health impacts on all workers, including men. We can no longer hold tight to old ways of working that are outdated and serve no purpose in our modern workforce,” Ms Greville said.
“Safety in all its guises, inclusive leadership, accounting for health and wellbeing, incorporating the needs of a broad range of workers, closing the gender pay gap, and holding businesses and individuals accountable – all must become part of the usual way of working.”
Learn more about NAWIC at www.nawic.com.au