Women construction workers will finally have equal access to bathroom facilities onsite after a CFMEU campaign resulted in amendments to Queensland’s work health and safety regulations.

From 1 January 2025, principal contractors must provide safe, fit-for-purpose amenities for women to ensure the needs of all workers are met.

The change comes three months after CFMEU women – supported by their male comrades and members of the ETU and Plumbers’ Union – rallied outside State Parliament to demand equal bathroom amenities on Queensland construction sites.

CFMEU QLD/NT Workplace Health & Safety Coordinator Kurt Pauls welcomed the change but condemned the government for pushing the implementation date out to 1 January 2025.

“Why should women workers have to wait until next year to have access to proper toilets? Builders don’t need a grace period to provide basic amenities,” Mr Pauls said.”

“The CFMEU campaigned for more women’s toilets on construction sites because our members believe in fairness, equality and dignity for all workers.”

“Without CFMEU women, the government never would have acted. This campaign proves that every benefit – no matter how basic – must be fought for by unionised construction workers.”

CFMEU QLD/NT delegate Sue Carlton said: “This is a win for the CFMEU and for every women construction worker, whether they work on a union EBA site or a non-union site.

“I’ve been working in construction for over 25 years. It’s outrageous that it took so long for the government to agree to this, but it’s better late than never.”

“All women want is to be treated the same as the men. Having proper women’s toilets on every Queensland construction site will allow us women to get on with the job.”