ETF sounds alarm on abuse against women

New research by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) has uncovered disturbing levels of violence and harassment faced by women working in transport across Europe.

Nautilus members were among the 1,071 women sharing their views and experiences in an online survey encompassing maritime, rail, aviation, and road transport.

The survey took place between May and September 2025, and participants came from 24 European countries and beyond, responding in 12 languages.

Key findings

The findings show that nearly three in four women (74%) working in transport have experienced abuse in their current workplace.

Of the 772 women who disclosed how often they faced abuse:

• 7% said daily
• 17% several times a week
• 7% weekly
• 45% several times a month

While most incidents involved passengers or service users (56%), a troubling 41% were perpetrated by colleagues, managers, or supervisors. Reported abuse ranged from verbal harassment and threats to sexual harassment, spitting, and cyber violence.

ETF general secretary Livia Spera expressed dismay at the findings, stating: 'Violence and harassment are not isolated incidents. They are a structural problem in our industry. Employers must guarantee safe workplaces.'

Next steps

On 30 September, the results were formally presented  to the ETF Women’s Committee seminar Transporting Respect – Combatting Gender-Based Violence at Work in Amsterdam. The event featured personal testimonies from female transport workers, as well as a keynote speech by sociolinguist Vera Gheno, who highlighted the role of words in shaping social change.

The seminar also brought together trade unions, policymakers, and EU institutions in a roundtable on how to deliver real change through campaigns, negotiations, and political action.

Nautilus offers tailored support to women members experiencing abuse and discrimination at work. To access this support, email women@nautilusint.org. You can also raise issues and influence the Union's campaign work by attending the Nautilus Equality and Diversity Forum – look out for your email invitation to the next meeting