Sex workers meet in Brussels to demand labor rights

Sex workers from across the European Union met at the European Parliament on Monday to demand labor rights and an end to what they call repressive policies against prostitution.

Meeting under the auspices of Italian deputy Vittorio Emanuele Agnoletto, some 120 sex workers from 23 countries held a conference to exchange personal experiences from the street and major issues concerning prostitution, including the public image of the profession and working conditions.

The participants - both organized and individual sex workers - demanded the same labor rights and social assistance as all other employees in Europe, the AP reports.

Legislation on prostitution currently varies from country to country within the EU. In the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, for example, prostitution is licensed and regulated by the state.

Conference participants were to hold a rally in downtown Brussels later Monday to raise public awareness of the problem.

Agnolleto said he would initiate a debate on the issue at the EU assembly and draft a resolution. A.M.