Call for women to speak on workplace harassment

TASMANIAN women are urged to take part in a national inquiry to help end sexual harassment in the workplace.

About a dozen women stood together in solidarity in Elizabeth St Mall yesterday as part of an annual action campaign focusing on violence against women and children.

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace is open to submissions until January 31.

Hospitality worker Kirsty Burke said she had lost count of the number of times she had been sexually harassed.

“I’ve been groped at work, constantly customers think they can touch me inappropriately and I’ve even had a customer flash his genitals at me.

“We’re hoping to highlight the issue that customers shouldn’t be touching staff. Just because we’re at work, doesn’t mean we’re your property,” she said.

Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday urged Tasmanians to be part of the inquiry so their voices were heard.

“We know as unionists representing women at work, anecdotally, that despite all of our laws around gender equality and discrimination, sexual harassment still remains one of their top concerns,” she said.

She said the Australian Council of Trade Unions had conducted a national survey, with a state breakdown on workplace sexual harassment expected next week.

Tasmanian shadow workplace relations spokeswoman Sarah Lovell urged all members of the community to participate in the national inquiry.