URGENT UPDATE: Women in Australia’s transport industry are facing a serious health crisis, as a shocking new report reveals they are forced to manage their menstrual hygiene in degrading conditions. Released on October 23, 2023, the report highlights that female workers are enduring indignities such as carrying soiled period products in their pockets due to inadequate access to clean and safe restrooms.
Cathy Birch, a veteran of the rail industry with 13 years of experience, expressed her outrage, stating, “It’s very disappointing, we’re going to fix this bloody mess.” The report outlines alarming coping strategies, with women resorting to dehydration or using unsafe locations for personal care.
The findings are deeply troubling: 82% of transport workers believe that limited access to sanitary toilet facilities undermines their dignity and respect at work. Furthermore, 73% of women reported experiencing health problems, including urinary tract infections and stress, due to filthy bathroom facilities.
Birch recounts her harrowing experiences, saying, “When I arrive on site, I’m parking carefully and thinking about how am I going to screen myself best, so I use the driver’s door.” She highlights the absence of basic hygiene facilities, noting, “There’s no way to wash your hands.” Such conditions have led to serious health repercussions, with some women hospitalized due to infections.
Union leadership is taking action. Leanne Holmes, the national vice president of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, stated, “Women across the transport industry are being denied the most basic workplace rights: safe, clean toilets and the ability to use them when they need to.”
The report has prompted urgent calls for a complete overhaul of standards to guarantee women’s dignity and health in the transport sector. Union members are demanding dedicated women’s toilet facilities and proper sanitary disposal units serviced regularly.
As the transport industry grapples with these pressing issues, the need for reform has never been more critical. The implications of this report extend beyond the workplace, marking a national health and safety crisis that demands immediate attention.
Stay tuned for further developments on this urgent matter, as workers and advocates push for the change that is long overdue.
