Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Working Conditions
The unintended consequence of prostitution prohibitions is the lawless working environ-
ment it creates for women who enter the industry. Sex work becomes the domain of crimin-
al networks that are often involved in other illicit activities and circumvent the laws
through bribes and violence.
Sex workers are not afforded the rights of other workers: there is no minimum wage; no
required vacation pay, sick leave or break time; no deductions for social security or
employee-sponsored health insurance; and no legal redress.
Bars can set their own punitive rules that fine a worker if she doesn't smile enough, ar-
rives late or doesn't meet the drink quota. Empower, an NGO that fights for safe and fair
standards in the sex industry, reported that most sex workers will owe money to the bar at
the end of the month through these deductions. In effect, the women have to pay to be pros-
titutes and the fines disguise a pimp relationship.
Through lobbying efforts, groups such as Empower hope that lawmakers will recognise
all workers at entertainment places (including dishwashers and cooks as well as 'working
girls') as employees subject to labour and safety protections.
Other commentators, such as the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW), ar-
gue that legalising prostitution is not the answer, because such a move would legitimise a
practice that is always going to be dangerous and exploitative for the women involved. In-
stead, these groups focus on how to enable the women to leave prostitution and make their
way into different types of work.
Organisations working across borders to stop child prostitution include Ecpat (End Child Prostitution &
Trafficking;
www.ecpat.net
) and its Australian affiliate Child Wise (
www.childwise.net
).
