The representative of the group told a seminar at a Seoul university last week
that unionization was "the best way to protect our rights and negotiate better
working conditions" while the anti-sex trade act threatens their right to
survival. Through "collective bargains," the founding members have made
contracts with their respective employers on various aspects of working
conditions, including wages, business hours, leave, disciplinary measures and
how to pay back their loans from employers.
Since the law took effect prescribing up to one year in jail and 3 million won
in fines for both buyers and sellers of sex and up to 100 million won in fines
and 10 years' imprisonment for operators of brothels, groups of prostitutes
called for legalization of their trade in street demonstrations. Behind their
appeals is the fact that prostitution has not been eliminated from this society
but submerged, taking place in motels, massage parlors and rented studios,
arranged by the Internet and ubiquitous fliers scattered in downtown streets.
The strengthened law which was prompted by a series of tragic fire incidents at
brothels that left many fatalities may have helped uproot forced prostitution.
But it has little effect on women who are engaged in prostitution as a chosen
profession. They want to be treated as bona fide "workers," not as evil doers
and complain of the lack of help from women's right advocates who just regard
their job as an affront to women's dignity.
This newest "Coalition" certainly has a long way to go to achieve its goal but its activities are bringing heavy obligations to government authorities and society in general to seek more fundamental solutions to the problem of sex trade, not being content with a few statutory clauses dispensing heavier fines and jail terms.
