Legal prostitution is one of the most famous things in the Netherlands, along with coffeeshops. Yes, another thing that is legal here and not in your own country. Hence, why sex tourism is also quite important and why it is a very profitable business here β in , sexual transactions were estimated as millions US dollars. Is it all pragmatic and smart? Or does it remain a dirty business?
Historically, it was close to the harbor, hence the development of prostitution in that area for centuries. Anyway the red light district, also walled de Wallen , takes its name from the red neon above the windows in which you can see, as stated before, half-naked women. There are approximately one-room cabins in the area, that can be rented by different women who can shift, and brothels. This year will also open the very first independent-owned brothel : a group of sex-workers decided to rent a place on their own and become auto-entrepreneur.
Not only do they take care of themselves in the business aspect, but they also said that the money they will organize workshops about health or entrepreneurial skills with the money they make. And those workshops will be open to every sex workers. Other cities also have a red light district, it is not just in Amsterdam. In Utrecht for instance, there used to be one which was closed in because of human trafficking concerns.
The women then moved to boats, but the red light district will reopen this year with around rooms. On the practical side, prostitution in the Netherlands has been legalized since Also prostitution is considered as a regular job. Sex workers have the same rights, protections and obligations as any worker in the Netherlands. Since , they even pay taxes on their earnings. Jokes aside, women working in prostitution in the Netherlands are also eligible for unemployment and invalidity benefits.
As with any other job. The Dutch being pragmatic as always, decided to legalize brothels. Yes, brothels, because prostitution was actually not a crime as long as it was voluntary. After , it became legal to run a business in which you hire sex workers. As long as you get the license, otherwise it is still not legal since there are some conditions to respect. It was legalized to fight human trafficking and to protect the sex workers. There also were some debates about the legal age to work, which is 18 but the government considered This was dropped because the girls would feel more secure to ask for help if they are not doing something illegal.
