The term sex worker rights encompasses a variety of aims being pursued globally by individuals and organizations that specifically involve the human and labor rights of sex workers.
The goals of these movements are extremely diverse, but generally aim to destigmatize sex work and ensure fair treatment before legal and cultural forces on a local and international level for all persons employed in the Sex industry.
Contents |
In most countries, even those where sex work is legal, sex workers of all kinds are stigmatized and marginalized, which can prevent them from seeking legal redress for discrimination (for e.g., racial discrimination by a strip club owner, dismissal from a teaching position because of involvement in the sex industry), non-payment by a client, assault or rape.
Depending on regional law, sex workers' activities may be regulated, controlled, tolerated, or prohibited.
For example, prostitution is illegal in many countries, but is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Germany, United Kingdom, some states in Australia, and in most counties in Nevada, a state in the United States.
The legalization of sex work often means additional restrictions and requirements placed on sex workers as well as registering with official government offices.
Many sex workers favor decriminalization over legalization.
Sex worker activists and advocates argue that sex workers should have the same basic human and labour rights as other working people[1].
For example, the Canadian Guild for Erotic Labour calls for the legalization of sex work, the elimination of state regulations that are more repressive than those imposed on other workers and businesses, the right to recognition and protection under labour and employment laws, the right to form and join professional associations or unions, and the right to legally cross borders to work.
Also, the legalization of sex work would allow it to be carried out in better organized circumstances (e.g., legal brothels), where regulations (e.g., requiring condom use and regular health checkups for sex workers) could reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.