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Prostitutes to vote to join union
Prostitutes and other sex workers in London will vote on Saturday whether to join one of Britain's biggest trade unions.
Members of the International Union of Sex Workers are expected to support the move to become affiliated to the GMB, which would give them mainstream union recognition for the first time.
Britain's sex industry is big business and embraces thousands of sex workers, including prostitutes and sex-line telephone operators.
We're trying to remove the stigma against sex work and sex workers.
Ana Lopes, International Union of Sex Workers
They come from all over the world and many face exploitation or violence.
The International Union of Sex Workers, based in London, has been campaigning to improve conditions.
The union's secretary, Ana Lopes, says joining one of Britain's biggest unions will strengthen its voice on issues such as the decriminalisation of prostitution in the UK.
"We're trying to remove the stigma against sex work and sex workers," Ms Lopes said.
"We think that changing the law - decriminalising sex work - is one of the steps towards it and it's a very important one.
Stoy Continued...
Prostitutes to vote to join union
Prostitutes and other sex workers in London will vote on Saturday whether to join one of Britain's biggest trade unions.
Members of the International Union of Sex Workers are expected to support the move to become affiliated to the GMB, which would give them mainstream union recognition for the first time.
Britain's sex industry is big business and embraces thousands of sex workers, including prostitutes and sex-line telephone operators.
We're trying to remove the stigma against sex work and sex workers.
Ana Lopes, International Union of Sex Workers
They come from all over the world and many face exploitation or violence.
The International Union of Sex Workers, based in London, has been campaigning to improve conditions.
The union's secretary, Ana Lopes, says joining one of Britain's biggest unions will strengthen its voice on issues such as the decriminalisation of prostitution in the UK.
"We're trying to remove the stigma against sex work and sex workers," Ms Lopes said.
"We think that changing the law - decriminalising sex work - is one of the steps towards it and it's a very important one.
Stoy Continued...
