02 / 05 / 2020
2 Minute Read

Well meant but target missed! Our position on the fundraiser for Sex Workers.

A fundraiser for Sex Workers has been launched in Switzerland (this page is available only in German, French and Italian) :

http://sexwork.ch/de/

It is organized by the National Coordination Center to fight against the negative effects of the Corona crisis on Sex Workers. But this initiative raises some questions.

How is the money distributed,

who decides how much and what criteria have to be met?

The fact is that in Switzerland nobody has to starve, nobody sleeps on the streets and basic medical care is always guaranteed. No matter whether Swiss or stranded foreigner. There are numerous places to contact. From private associations to communities, to official aid agencies to churches that often help the most  and in an uncomplicated way.

The situation for sex workers is precarious, we agree on that. Howver, Sex Workers who officially live in Switzerland and are registered also have a lot to pay. Rent, health insurance, taxes, etc. Those who have properly settled or are employed are also entitled to compensation or even social assistance. Those who have been making "Black money" and smeared the money past the tax steward are now left with little. Just like the car export dealer who never declared the effective profit, but always the minimum. If you cheat you will be punished at some point, that's the way it goes.

Then there are the Sex Workers who work in Switzerland with a work permit (for example under EU 90 days work registration ) but do not have a permanent residence here and those who work illegally without being registered at any point. Often these Sex Workers have no money and certainly no health insurance. In many cases there are pimps in the background who force these women to do this job and also take money from them. Most Sex Workers do not work in Switzerland to treat themselves to luxury, but to support their families in their home country.

Will a little donation help?

Not really actually, because they need an income that they can earn through sex work.

Therefore, our request is to allow sex work again as soon as possible because to be honest, it never stopped but simply retreated to total illegality and secrecy (see for example the Langstrasse in Zurich ...). Stricter rules should be introduced, reporting requirements and protection concepts should be imposed, certain practices should be prohibited. It is frightening how before Corona Sex Workers officially offered uninhibited services and sex without condom. There should be a zero tolerance in trafficking in human beings, forced prostitution should be should be fought and heavily punished and more controls should be carried out .

This is where we want the support from the sex workers' advice centers and associations instead of calling for distributing a bit of money here and there ...

This was our personal opinion!

The Team of TVR 

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