Amsterdam plan could force many legal sex workers to the streets (Amsterdam prostitutes union)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/4980

Amsterdam plan could force many legal sex workers to the streets

Brothel owners are taking the city of Amsterdam to court. Prostitution was legalized in the Dutch city five years ago resulting in the opening of many legitimate brothels. The mayor of Amsterdam has announced plans to close at least 33 of those establishments claiming they are fronts for criminal activity. The Amsterdam prostitutes union, known as the Red Thread and representing more than 20,000 prostitutes, has argued that the move will force many sex workers return to illegal work on the street. The city council hopes to make it easier for banks to provide sex businesses with financing. The thought is that because so many brothels operate with loans from private companies it increases the chance of criminal activity.