Sex workers in Surabaya want to operate during Ramadhan<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Hundreds of sex workers and pimps in Surabaya staged a
\ndemonstration at the city's legislative buildings, demanding
\nlocal authorities to be flexible with the planned closure of
\nnightclubs and entertainment centers during the holy fasting
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators, who earn a living from the sex trade, also
\ndistributed pamphlets opposing the closure of all recreation
\ncenters and nightclubs during the fasting month, which starts on
\nNov. 6.<\/p>\n
They called on the municipal administration to allow red-light
\ndistricts and recreation centers to open from 9:00 p.m. local
\ntime to 2:00 a.m. so that they could earn money to celebrate the
\nIdul Fitri holidays.<\/p>\n
\"The city administration's policy to close all recreation
\ncenters during the fasting month is inhuman and unfair because it
\naffects their life,\" Antara quoted a sex worker, Tina, as saying.<\/p>\n
Tina challenged the local authorities, saying that she would
\nleave her profession if Mayor Bambang D.H. gave her a job that
\npaid enough to cover her family's basic needs.<\/p>\n
She accused the local administration of issuing a
\ndiscriminative policy as billiard halls, karaoke bars and
\ntheaters were allowed to operate from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.<\/p>\n
As with other cities, all recreation centers and nightclubs
\nare barred from running their daily operations in respect of the
\nfasting month and there have been no protests from owners of
\nrecreation centers or their employees.<\/p>\n
Harjono, a member of the advocacy team for the sex workers,
\nsaid that he could do nothing in line with the municipal
\nadministration's policy because he would be up against Muslims
\nshould he protest it.<\/p>\n
However, he said the city administration should give
\nalternatives to allow sex workers a means to earn an income to
\nmeet their daily needs and to celebrate the holidays.<\/p>\n
\"The city administration should not only be issuing the policy
\nbut also proposing a solution to the problem facing sex workers
\nand pimps around the red-light districts and nightclubs in the
\ncity,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sex-workers-in-surabaya-want-to-operate-during-ramadhan-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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