The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Sex workers form union

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Sex workers form union

Staff Reporter

It is affiliated to New Trade Union Initiative

Bangalore: "I took up this profession because I did not have enough money to raise my children. When my husband passed away, I started working as a labourer in the markets. Gradually, one of my superiors began asking for favours, and soon my job depended on my willingness to compromise. This also gives me a little extra income, using which I can educate my children and make sure this is not the future destined for them."

These are the words of Bibijaan, a commercial sex worker, who joined her fellow workers in protesting against their plight, on Monday.

Monetary benefits

The workers formed the Karnataka Sexworkers' Union (KSU), which is affiliated to New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI), to be able to support each other in times of need and claim monetary and social benefits that are available to other classes of workers.

A member of the union, on condition of anonymity, said: "We are also workers, but we still do not have the social security that others avail themselves of. With the HIV/AIDS issue now an important one, both commoners and the government have dismissed us as `untouchables.' Acts like the ITPA (Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act) have affected our business, because our clients are dissuaded by the heavy fines and jail terms.

Group insurance

As a recognised union, we can apply for group insurance schemes, have provident funds and pension for each worker."

Most of them urged the Government to repeal the ITPA Act, and legalise prostitution.

Working conditions

They also demanded that their working conditions be safe and fair.

The workers organised a public rally from Chamarajpet to Corporation Circle, where they held a meeting to further their cause.

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