The call comes after a survey of its women construction members found that a lack of facilities when women were having their periods was a major issue.
Unite is now asking contractors to sign-up to a four-point plan promising to:
- Ensure each site or depot has a designated female toilet, which is always accessible, regularly cleaned and lockable
- Handwashing facilities with running water and soap are provided in all welfare facilities
- Sanitary bins are provided and they are cleaned and emptied regularly
- Sanitary products are provided in a dispenser in a discreet location, free to workers.
Ann Allen, Director of Estates at the University of Glasgow said: “This is a fantastic achievement by Multiplex and we fully support this campaign as another step towards making the construction industry more attractive and accessible to women.
“This move helps bring working conditions on our campus development site in line with those of the wider University campus where we aim to create a supportive environment for all.”
Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: “Unite is asking construction employers to sign up to four basic demands which will ensure that women workers can experience period dignity.
“With ever growing skills shortages in our industry, it is absolutely essential that construction becomes more attractive to women workers. A small step in achieving this is to ensure that women construction workers can have period dignity at work.
Unite welcomes Multiplex’s role as a trailblazer in signing up to the campaign and will continue to highlight other sites and companies which also sign up in the future”
