Dutch sex workers take charge of their own business- if only it was as safe and legal in the U.S.
9/30/2016 Highlights;
THE HAGUE, Sept 30 — Amsterdam sex workers yesterday launched a brothel run by prostitutes by themselves with no exploitation, thanks to financing from a social investment fund. “Today, we are witnessing a breakthrough in the empowerment of sex workers," said spokesman Richard B. The project due to open in May 2017, is “the first sex business managed solely by sex workers”, he said at the launch in the Dutch capital.
Prostitution has been legal in the Netherlands since 2000 and sex workers, who are registered with the chamber of commerce, pay taxes on their incomes. Their pimps or handlers must have a permit and often pay a high commission.
The My Red Light project, which involves four buildings comprising 14 of the famous windows looking out onto Amsterdam’s notorious red light district, will enable sex workers to use their incomes to improve their social status. The scheme, which has resulted from a feasibility study carried out at the request of the city authorities last year, is being backed by the philanthropy fund Start Foundation, as well as the Dutch bank Rabobank.
“My Red Light, founded by sex workers, offers self-employed entrepreneurs within the prostitution sector the opportunity to rent work spaces at attractive rates and flexible terms,” the project said in a statement.
Safe, comfortable place
“We want to create a safe and comfortable place for the whole community,” said spokeswoman Dinah B. The scheme is part of Amsterdam city’s policy to “make the city’s sex work industry clean and safe, and to give sex workers greater independence” and reduce abuse, according to the city’s tourist office. — AFP