10 Mar Sex workers to be granted workers’ rights, benefits and employment contracts in Spain
Sex workers 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 sex workers 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 sex workers 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 sex workers 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 sex workers should be given the security of benefits, healthcare, pensions and unemployment payments to help safeguard them from being exploited.
Source: Independent