Chinese sex workers in Paris protest change to law
Hong Chao-chun and Staff Reporter
2015-03-30
A social security tries to restrain a Chinese sex worker. (Photo/CFP)
Hundreds of foreign sex workers in France, the majority of them illegal Chinese immigrants, rallied in the Place Pigalle in Paris on March 28 to fight for their right of survival in their country of adoption, reports our Chinese-language sister paper Want Daily.
Some of the Chinese sex workers, calling themselves "The Iron Roses," have signed a petition to urge the French government to cancel a motion that sanctions those who buy sex services, their clients. Over 240 Chinese sex workers rallied.
A Chinese sex worker known as Ai Ying interviewed by Radio France International (RFI) said punishing clients will hurt their earnings and they will be exposed to greater dangers and problems. Ai Ying said the new law will not help them change their line of work, because they are not likely to get a job without a residency permit.
RFI reported that the French government plans to eradicate prostitution by punishing those who buy sexual services, an approach already adopted by Sweden. Local associations said they were dubious as to whether the new law would have any positive effect.
Tim Laster, a spokesperson for Doctors of the World, said sex workers are constantly exposed to violence and health risks. All existing laws expose them to danger and force them to live in hazardous conditions, Laster told Agence-France Presse.
A debate on the motion to sanction both sex workers and their clients will be debated in the Senate on March 30.
