A $5.8 million sexual harassment settlement will be paid by a building maintenance firm in the US.

The lawsuit was brought by the government after 21 Hispanic female workers complained of explicit sexual behavior by male co-workers.

One woman even complained of rape.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced this week that ABM Industries and two of its subsidiaries would have to pay the settlement for charges dating back to 2001.

The EEOC said the victims had faced touching, explicit sexual comments and requests for sex by 14 male co-workers and supervisors.

According to the commission, some of the male workers had exposed themselves, groped the private parts of female employees and even engaged in rape.

ABM was required to pay the settlement because it was found to have failed to respond to complaints by the women, which led to a dangerous working environment.