Prostitutes to be granted workers' rights, benefits and employment contracts in Spain
Sex workers will be given rights but pimping and trafficking remain illegal
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Prostitutes in Spain are to be entitled to labour rights and would be able to claim unemployment benefits when not in work, a court has ruled.
Judge Juan Augustín Maragall ruled in a Barcelona court that prostitutes should be given contracts by brothel owners, who would pay social security contributions on their behalf.
The civil court decision was made after a massage parlour offering sex services in the city was raided by labour inspectors. Three prostitutes were found to be working there.
The judge ruled that management violated the women’s rights and the firm, called Xcenter, would have to pay backdated national insurance payments for the prostitutes from 2012.
The owner argued that the workers were autonomous and not officially employed, however authorities stated that as there was a employer and employee working relationship, it constitutes a form of contract so social security payments should be made.
The court has therefore ruled that prostitutes should be given the security of benefits, healthcare, pensions and unemployment payments to help safeguard them from being exploited.
Pimping and trafficking remain illegal.
Even amid an economic crisis in Spain, the sex industry is booming as more women are turning to it – often in desperation. Around 39% of men in Spain admit to having used the services of a prostitute.
Sex workers have even been ordered to wear high-vis jackets when soliciting in Northern Spain to avoid road accidents.
Prostitution has been decriminalised in the country since 1995, however sex workers were not deemed to have had jobs and were not entitled to labour rights.
The decision by the court in Barcelona is not yet final, as it can be appealed to the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia.
The sex trade has always been legal in the Netherlands and it is regulated under normal labour laws.
Self-employed prostitutes can join a union and they all have to be registered with the Dutch government.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments