Virtually half of girls transport employees sexually harassed in final yr, RMT union survey suggests
Nearly half of girls transport employees have been sexually harassed at work, in response to a brand new survey.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union questioned 1,400 feminine employees throughout rail, bus, metro and passenger ferry operations.
It discovered 4 in 10 have been victims of such distressing behaviour within the final yr, with incidents together with touching and grabbing with out consent, and undesirable feedback.
Despite that, 70% of these affected didn’t report the incidents as a result of they felt their criticism wouldn’t be taken severely.
And greater than 80% of the ladies mentioned sexual harassment on public transport is getting worse, the survey discovered.
“I have had numerous men stroke my bum as they pass by and that’s in the day. Of a night when they are drunk it’s worse, I’ve had a group of men grab me and say come on love sit on my knee,” one of many ladies quoted within the survey mentioned.
Others mentioned they had been cat-called, touched, stared at, subjected to uncomfortable conversations, given undesirable compliments or had their footage taken with out their permission.
Mick Lynch says the survey findings made for uncomfortable studying
Responding to the survey, RMT’s normal secretary Mick Lynch argued elevated staffing and decreasing lone working will assist make ladies members really feel safer.
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He mentioned: “On the International day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, this survey shows employers have much more to do in the public transport industry and the authorities in wider society, in tackling misogyny and harassment against women.
“I’m grateful to all our ladies members who took half and shared their experiences a few of which make for uncomfortable studying.
“RMT will always support our women members at work in combatting sexual harassment and hold employers to account for any shortcomings.”
Job cuts, in addition to pay and circumstances, had been one of many focal factors of RMT’s dispute with the prepare firms, which has led to extended strike action.
But the 2 sides have just lately reached a deal that would convey the long-running disagreement to an finish.
Plans for ticket workplace closures and job losses have been dropped as a part of the settlement, Mr Lynch mentioned, nevertheless it nonetheless wanted to be voted on by the membership.