Fortescue (ASX:FMG) allegedly failed to protect female employees and contractors in Australia from sexual discrimination, harassment, and a hostile work environment, according to a class-action lawsuit filed in Australia's Federal Court on Thursday.
Law firm JGA Saddler, which filed the complaint, said reports of sexual harassment at Fortescue have been rising, but they "severely understate the true extent of sexual harassment" at the mining firm.
It noted that Fortescue disclosed 31 allegations of sexual harassment at its Western Australian sites in 2020.
Fortescue did not immediately reply to a request for comment from.
The company's shares fell 1% in recent Thursday trade.