Prostitutes win battle to work in EU countries
Prostitutes from Central and Eastern Europe have been granted the right to run their own businesses in the Netherlands, according to a ruling by the European Court of Justice. The judges said prostitutes could be self-employed in any EU country where selling sex is tolerated. This right is given to applicant countries in treaties associating them with the EU.
Four women from Poland and the Czech Republic took their case to court after they rented "window rooms" in Amsterdam's red-light district and declared their monthly salaries for 1,800 Dutch guilders but were refused work permission by the Dutch authorities. In the Netherlands, where brothels are legalised, only EU nationals are allowed to earn a living as self-employed sex workers.
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According to the European Court of Justice, the activity of prostitution pursued in a self-employed capacity can be regarded as a service provided for remuneration.
A prostitute profession is not contradictory with national law in at least 10 EU members: the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Italy.
