Sir, – Recent coverage of the issues surrounding prostitution could easily give an impression that this is a trade that people enter into freely and is part of the service sector which just happens to be illegal.
Unfortunately this impression is far from reality and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions remains firm in its view that prostitution is exploitation and not employment.
Our involvement in the Turn Off the Red Light campaign dates back to 2010, when a motion was passed at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) women’s conference. Since then we, and our constituent unions, have been active in the democratic processes on both sides of the Border, making written submissions and presentations to the justice committees in the Oireachtas and at Stormont.
We accept the evidence of An Garda Síochána that most of the cash generated from prostitution goes to organised criminal gangs, both foreign and domestic, and reject the notion that pimps and traffickers will become model employers overnight if given the opportunity to do so.
Globally trafficking for sexual exploitation puts $99 billion into the pockets of criminals each year.
The notion that persons who threaten their victims with violence, exploitation and abuse will suddenly start respecting our labour laws, pay proper wages and respect normal working hours beggars belief. Furthermore the notion that legalisation will improve the situation of those involved is incorrect, and will lead to the continued perpetuation of degradation and abuse.
The assertion made by several of your contributors that the Turn Off the Red Light Campaign is some conspiracy that involves the religious right, radical feminists and trade unionists working together is a notion which is equally fanciful.
A simple online check of the membership confirms the Turn Off the Red Light Campaign campaign includes frontline emergency workers, business people, rape crisis centres, farming representatives, student representatives and many others.
Working together we have also secured the support of political parties including Labour, Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil – with many more individual representatives from other parties, including the Fine Gael members of the Oireachtas Justice Committee. These groups, far from condescending to others, are advocating on behalf of those whose horrible reality they witness, and which is expressed by those seeking support.
Furthermore, this horrible reality, while inherently linked to the trafficking of persons, in addition blights long-term residents and citizens of this country. – Yours, etc,
EDWARD MATHEWS,
Director of Regulation
and Social Policy,
Irish Nurses
and Midwives Organisation,
The Whitworth Building,
North Brunswick Street,
Dublin 7.