DUSSELDORF 30 Aug (ANA) - Unemployed sex workers in Germany have demanded brothels be allowed to reopen after months of closure to curb the spread of coronavirus. Dozens of sex workers in Dusseldorf protested outside the city’s parliament yesterday with signs that read ‘Red light on’ and ‘Sex work is real work’. Masked protesters also mimicked sexual intercourse on a bed as they demanded the safe reopening of the industry. Prostitution is legal in Germany but brothels were closed as the pandemic hit Europe. The rally heard that many sex workers were struggling financially, particularly migrant prostitutes who were not entitled to unemployment benefits.

Sex worker Nadine Kopp said prostitutes were ‘afraid for their identity and existence’ and it ‘wasn’t fair’ brothels were forced to remain closed while other industries could reopen. She said: ‘We are simply demanding that the regional government listens to us, that’s why we’re here, so that they see that we’re just normal people. ‘We have set up a completely normal business and now we are afraid for our existence and our identity. Article 12 enshrines the right to free choice of occupation. And this is the right we are exercising and demanding.’ Ms Kopp said said German prostitutes had been treated horrendously and were living a frugal existence while out of work. They argued brothels could easily incorporate pandemic safety measures adopted by other industries, including face masks, ventilating premises and recording visitors’ contact details. Authorities in some other German states, including Berlin, Bavaria and Thuringia, have allowed brothels to resume business under specific hygiene guidelines. Ms Kopp said: ‘At the moment I am getting unemployment benefit and I have some savings. Sometimes we get donations but apart from that, nothing, zero. ‘For migrants it’s even worse because they’re not registered here, but they still pay taxes and they’re not getting anything at all. It’s not right to treat people like that.’(ANA)

FA/ANA/30 August 2020------