Prostitution is a business

Prostitution is a business

In a seminar called "Women in the Working World in Anticipation of the Global Free Market", held by the Convention Watch at the University of Indonesia on Dec. 12, 1995, participant Prof. Tatiomas Ihromi asked Mr. Bomer Pasaribu, Head of SPSI, whether sex workers can be included in the SPSI. This was asked because there are so many of them in Batam, where they are considered as the main attraction of the island. A very interesting question indeed.

Mrs. Claude Girard, wife of the former French Ambassador in Indonesia (now in Australia), said to me, "Prostitution is a dirty business but it is indeed a business. Consequently they can form a labor organization to protect themselves against discrimination, extortion, oppression and other bad treatment and also they have to pay tax."

Fellow readers' comments would be appreciated.

SARASWATI KARNO BARKAH

Jakarta