| personalia |
|
|
|
|
|
PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech
government took a first step toward
legalizing prostitution on Wednesday when cabinet approved a proposal
to license sex trade workers.
A government spokesman said the next move was approval by parliament, although no timeframe had been set, to make prostitution subject to the control of doctors and the taxman. "The assumption is that it is unrealistic to effectively ban prostitution," the ministry proposal said. "It is only possible... to set rules so the public does not perceive prostitution as a serious public order problem or health risk." The plan calls for prostitutes to buy licenses, undergo monthly health checks, pay taxes and health insurance. It would slap fines on those who do not comply. At present, prostitutes work in a legal gray area, which makes it tough for the state to control disease, the sex slave trade and underage prostitution. Brothels line the EU accession country's roads to Austria and Germany, the source of many customers. Weekend trips to Prague for some tourists also include visits to erotic clubs. The proposal said only Czechs and other European Union nationals would get licenses, which non-governmental organizations say would push many other women into illegality. "From the point of view of security and protection of the Czech Republic's interests, it appears most suitable that only EU citizens can become prostitutes," the ministry said. About 60 percent of the country's estimated 10,000 to 25,000 sex workers come from non-EU states. The Czech Statistical Bureau in 2002 estimated the trade to be worth six billion crowns ($217 million) a year.© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved. |
| обсудить на ReForum+ |
|
|
|