Fortescue faces class action spanning 19 years

• Fortescue has been served with a Federal Court class action alleging systemic workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.
• The company's share price fell following the formal market acknowledgement of the multi-year lawsuit.
• The legal action seeks compensation for thousands of female workers over historical workplace culture failures.

Fortescue (ASX:FMG) confirmed it has been served with a Federal Court class action over alleged historical workplace sexual harassment.

The legal action follows allegations from several female employees regarding widespread harassment at the company's remote mining sites.

Brisbane law firm JGA Saddler filed the case in the Victorian registry with backing from litigation funder Aristata.

The company stated that the legal proceedings are at an early stage and the compensation amounts remain completely unspecified.

Following the announcement, the Fortescue share price was down at $18.60.

Management stated the group has previously invested approximately $300 million in site security infrastructure to enhance worker safety.

The case marks the third major workplace safety class action brought against large Australian mining operators recently.