A new report from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) sheds light on the relationship between sexual harassment, exploitative working conditions and racial discrimination faced by migrant and refugee women in workplaces across the country.

This is the first comprehensive global study to examine these overlapping issues and highlight the challenges women face in maintaining their safety and dignity at work.

Led by Professor Marie Segrave from the University of Melbourne, in partnership with Harmony Alliance, the report collects quantitative and qualitative insights from more than 850 migrant and refugee women in Australia. The data extends previous findings, which found that 46% of these women reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace in the past five years.

The research found that migrant and refugee women consistently reported experiences of sexual harassment alongside racial discrimination and exploitation, including unequal pay and unsafe working environments, both physical and psychological. Many reported that their experiences were not recognised, as systems addressed these instances of abuse in isolation, rather than as interconnected issues.

One participant said: “Eight years ago I came here on a student visa, my first job was in… a Mexican fast food restaurant in Melbourne. This manager would say hello or goodbye and give you a hug that made you feel like he was touching you all over, and you know, at some point it became normal. Whenever he felt like it, he would slap you on the bum and make sexual jokes all the time in the workplace. Looking back now, I just felt so small.”

Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, CEO of ANROWS said: “Feeling safe at work is a fundamental right. Yet many migrant and refugee women in Australia are being deprived of this basic safety.

“The evidence shows that addressing sexual harassment, racism and exploitative conditions alone is not enough. We must understand that these issues are interconnected if we are to improve the conditions and safety of migrant and refugee women in Australian workplaces.”

Migrant and refugee women also lacked confidence that reporting abuse would benefit them. Many participants expressed concern that speaking out about abuse would have negative professional, financial, cultural or social consequences, with little hope for a positive outcome.

Professor Marie Segrave from the University of Melbourne said: “A key finding of this research is that structural inequalities, such as racism, visa status and employment conditions, amplify the impact of workplace sexual harassment and other forms of abuse and exploitation.

“Our research draws on the generosity of migrant and refugee women across Australia who have shared their stories and experiences. This research lays the foundation for rethinking siloed response systems and how we can best holistically prioritise women’s safety in the workplace.”

Nyadol Nyuon OAM, Chair of Harmony Alliance, said: “By highlighting the voices of over 850 migrant and refugee women, this report sheds light on the urgent need to rethink how we approach workplace safety. It is not just about identifying harassment, but about ensuring meaningful, systemic change.”

This report is part of the ANROWS Sexual Harassment Research Programme 2021–2024 and calls for immediate action to ensure that all women, regardless of background, can work in an environment free from harassment, discrimination and exploitation.