May Day 2026

Workers’ Rights Include the Right to Speak

This International Workers’ Day, we ask: how can workplaces be safe if workers are silenced?

The Working Women’s Centre Australia is marking May Day by calling for urgent law reform to end the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in workplace sexual harassment and discrimination cases.

Help bring visibility to this issue, amplify women’s voices, and drive the national conversation forward. We’ve created a campaign toolkit to help you spread the message, with ready-to-use visuals, key resources, and tools to help you write to your local politician.

Join the movement and help us spread the message.

Here are a few ways you can take action to end workplace sexual harassment and discrimination, to demand for strong laws in Australia that will end the silencing of women. 

1- Meet your local Federal MPs or Senators 

Politicians receive thousands of letters from organisations and individuals wanting their attention and asking them to do something on a range of issues.  For this reason, and to stand out, we are asking our supporters to ask for a meeting with your local federal member of parliament. We know meeting them is a powerful way to become more visible and get your message across.  We have prepared an example letter template for you to request a meeting with your local Federal MP or Senator – use it as a guide, but make sure your letter is personal and in your own words. 

To find your Federal MP, go here, type in your postcode, click the MP’s name, then click on the ‘Connect’ tab to see their contact details. 

In your letter, remember to: 

  1. Tell them how you feel about workplace harassment and discrimination, you can highlight some of your own experiences if you wish to. They will pay more attention to a personal letter than a form or a template. 
  1. Be short and concise. Try to keep your letter to one or two pages. 
  1. Ask for a specific action. Try to include an action that you know they can take – for example, raise the issue with their parliamentary colleagues, or speak publicly on the issue. 

Tip: Before you ask them for a meeting, check the sitting calendar. On sitting days your Federal MP will be in Canberra and may not be able to meet you locally. 

2- Add your own photo to the campaign  

Post it on your social media using the hashtag #OurSilenceIsNotForSale and tag your local Federal MPs or Senators, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP (@albomp), Attorney-General Michelle Rowland MP (@mrowlandmp), Minister for Women Senator Katy Gallagher (@senkatyg), and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth MP (@amandarishworth)

1.Save as the image of the campaign frame here and use it to add your photo inside the frame.

Download here

2. You can also download the campaign photos featuring advocates like Anna, Kaz and Siobhan here to share on your social media.

Share your photo or the advocates photos on social media using #OurSilenceIsNotForSale and tag your local Working Women’s Centre, using the suggested caption below:


For far too long working women have been silenced from speaking up on workplace sexual harassment and discrimination. The misuse of NDAs in Australia must end now. #OurSilenceIsNotforSale

Here are some images to inspire you to create your own photo using the campaign frame.

       

3- Spread the word in your home, workplace or school 

Print and display our poster in a visible place such as a staff room, corridor or window. You can also take a group photo with the poster and share it on your preferred social media using #OurSilenceIsNotForSale and tagging your local Working Women’s Centre.

Download the poster for your home, workplace or school here.

WWCA’s campaign artwork, created by artist and unionist Nicky Minus.

When we say women, we are inclusive of all women — including trans women, as well as non-binary and gender non-conforming people who face gendered disadvantage. We recognise that gender inequality is shaped by intersecting systems of power, and we take an intersectional approach to all of our work.

History

From Feminist Roots to Workplace Advocacy

Working Women’s Centres began in the 1970s through the efforts of feminist unionists and activists, driving the fight for equal pay, fair treatment, and lasting workplace reforms for women in Australia.

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