Dozens of sex workers stage protest

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Dozens of the local sex workers staged a protest on Wednesday at the provincial legislative council, demanding that the council give them protection against abusive actions, extortion and rape by security officers who are supposed to protect them.

Wearing masks and dressed in black, the protesters calling themselves the Prostitutes Solidarity Forum, held a rally at the council's compound.

After the protest, they met with councillor Hasanuddin Arsyad to whom they complained that government officers often abused them, extorted money and demanded free sex services.

"We don't mind if they come to ask for money for cigarettes or gasoline. But some demand free sex services or Rp 200,000 to free each of us when we get busted. Are they more respectable than us" complained Yanti, one of the protesters.

The protesters also demanded that the local administration curb the inflow of sex workers from other areas into the region.

The group claims to have some 2000 members. --JP