ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the poor position of sex workers all over the world is caused by the exclusion of sex workers from civil and human rights, often as a result of the illegal status of the sex industry. It critically examines the current legal approaches towards sex work and offers an alternative, based on the recognition of sex work as work and the protection of sex workers rights. The chapter discusses case of the Netherlands, where the sex industry was decriminalised in 2000. Focus of national and local governments has been predominantly on the implementation of a system of controlling and regulating the sex industry. Sex workers from all over the world have to deal with bad working conditions, stigmatisation, discrimination and marginalisation. The chapter explains organisation of prostitution on a consensual basis between adults. Coercion, violence, abuse, sexual harassment and rape should be as punishable in prostitution as it is in any other business or labour relationship.
