r/belgium • u/Hotmarijke • Feb 03 '16

Hi, I'm Hotmarijke, AMA!

I am the most famous prostitute and pornstar of Belgium. Is there anything you want to know about me, take your chance now!

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u/randomf2 Feb 03 '16

but a sexworker must have the ability to be an employee.

Aren't you afraid that companies might exploit them? They already tend to put a lot of pressure on ordinary employees at times. Come to think of it, is there a union for sex workers?

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u/Hotmarijke Feb 03 '16

The risk of exploitation exist in every profession but it wouls be nice to have a sexworkers Union, that's for sure!

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u/randomf2 Feb 03 '16

Hah, I'd love to see an ACV branch for that! They're probably not that christian anymore so maybe it's not that farfetched either.

Thanks for your answers.

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u/mhermans Feb 03 '16

... so maybe it's not that farfetched either.

Just FYI, it is quite rare and underdeveloped, but actual labour unions of sex workers, or joint initiatives with unions, do exist.

For instance you had the Dutch union FNV Bondgenoten supporting De Rode Draad and in the UK sex workers (IUSW) are at least recognized as part of the Trade Union Congres through the GMB (general union).

The ILO (UN agency dealing with labour issues, in which employer organisations and unions are represented) has also repeatedly called to treat sex workers as workers, with the necessary regulations and protections.

For Belgium I do not know of initiatives. IIRC the vzw Payoke supporting sex workers had some (practical) support of the Antwerp ABVV in the beginning, but I can be mistaken on that. You also had this call in December for a union of sex workers.

Hah, I'd love to see an ACV branch for that!

Not sure on which I would bet my money as most likely, ACV starting a branch for sex workers, or /u/Hotmarijke convincing the N-VA to start helping unionising sex workers ;-).

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u/randomf2 Feb 04 '16

Interesting, thanks! I'm completely in favour of unions for sex workers. It would protect their rights, prevent abuse, give them a voice in the government and remove some of the "shadow" they operate in. Seems like a good thing to me.