A new report for the Victorian Government has found women in trades and semi-skilled roles in construction experience high rates of discrimination and lack workplace support.

Released this week, it revealed a lack of acceptance of women in the workplace, limited accountability or deterrents for inappropriate behaviour by males, and a ‘culture of silence’ that made women feel they couldn’t speak out or were punished for doing so.

Women working in a range of roles including as labourers, carpenters, electricians, painters, crane operators, traffic controllers and plumbers participated in the study.

RMIT’s School of Property, Construction and Project Management associate professor and lead researcher Sarah Holdsworth says there was ongoing resistance to creating a workplace culture that welcomed and supported female workers: “Without substantial and systemic change, we will continue to see the underrepresentation of women in the construction industry.

“This failure to provide a safe workplace for women contravenes occupational health and safety legislation and regulations.”

Sarah adds that a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behaviour towards women was required at all levels from employers, employees and unions to vocational providers, government and construction peak bodies.

Over the past 30 years women have consistently made up only 2% of trade and semi-skilled workers in Australian construction.

Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas says creating a level playing field for women in the workplace was a priority: “No matter what industry, but especially in typically male-dominated sectors, we need and must do better in workplace equality across the board.

“More women are active in the Victorian labour market than ever before, but they make up only 2% of the workers in Australian construction – the country’s most male-dominated industry. The Andrews Labor Government is determined to change that.”