Sex workers in Surabaya want to operate during Ramadhan
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Hundreds of sex workers and pimps in Surabaya staged a demonstration at the city's legislative buildings, demanding local authorities to be flexible with the planned closure of nightclubs and entertainment centers during the holy fasting month.
The demonstrators, who earn a living from the sex trade, also distributed pamphlets opposing the closure of all recreation centers and nightclubs during the fasting month, which starts on Nov. 6.
They called on the municipal administration to allow red-light districts and recreation centers to open from 9:00 p.m. local time to 2:00 a.m. so that they could earn money to celebrate the Idul Fitri holidays.
"The city administration's policy to close all recreation centers during the fasting month is inhuman and unfair because it affects their life," Antara quoted a sex worker, Tina, as saying.
Tina challenged the local authorities, saying that she would leave her profession if Mayor Bambang D.H. gave her a job that paid enough to cover her family's basic needs.
She accused the local administration of issuing a discriminative policy as billiard halls, karaoke bars and theaters were allowed to operate from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
As with other cities, all recreation centers and nightclubs are barred from running their daily operations in respect of the fasting month and there have been no protests from owners of recreation centers or their employees.
Harjono, a member of the advocacy team for the sex workers, said that he could do nothing in line with the municipal administration's policy because he would be up against Muslims should he protest it.
However, he said the city administration should give alternatives to allow sex workers a means to earn an income to meet their daily needs and to celebrate the holidays.
"The city administration should not only be issuing the policy but also proposing a solution to the problem facing sex workers and pimps around the red-light districts and nightclubs in the city," he said.