7 in 10 women face workplace harassment in transport sector, ETF warns
More than 70% of women working in Europe’s transport sector have experienced harassment on the job, according to alarming findings released by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF).
The pan-European trade union, representing workers across rail, aviation, maritime, and public transport sectors, describes the issue as “a structural problem.”
The survey, conducted with 1,071 female transport workers across 24 European countries, found that 772 respondents reported experiencing abuse during working hours.
The results will be formally presented on September 30 in Amsterdam during the seminar “Transporting Respect – Combating Gender-Based Violence at Work.”
According to the ETF, 56% of the harassment originates from transport users, while a significant 41% is perpetrated by colleagues. The abuse spans a range of behaviors including verbal threats, intimidation, sexual harassment, spitting, and online attacks.
ETF General Secretary Livia Spera emphasized the severity of the findings:
“These figures expose the harsh reality for women transport workers across Europe. Violence and harassment are not isolated incidents. They are a structural problem in our industry. It is the employers’ responsibility to guarantee safe workplaces free from any form of violence.”
The transport sector remains heavily male-dominated, a factor contributing to the issue. Data from 2017—still reflective of current trends—show women make up just 22% of the overall transport workforce. The disparity is even more stark in road transport, where women comprise only 14% of employees.
The scale of the problem extends beyond women. According to eunews, in Italy, transport workers report around 7,000 incidents of violence annually. According to the European Working Conditions Telephone Survey (EWCTS) 2021, employees who interact directly with the public—like those in transport—are twice as likely to face aggressive or abusive behavior at work. Among them, women are twice as likely as men to be targeted.
In response, the ETF is taking steps to raise awareness and push for change. At the Amsterdam seminar, linguist Vera Gheno, known for her work on inclusive language, will speak on the role of communication in fostering safer, more respectful workplaces. The symbolic gesture underscores the union’s broader campaign to eliminate gender-based violence and promote a culture of respect across the sector.
