South African Sex workers demand to be added to “essential service” providers during the lockdown.

Although prostitution, currently modified as “sex work” is a criminal offense in South Africa, many people, especially ladies still engage in the practice across the country. Per the current statistics, there’s about 158,000 sex workers in the country currently.

The profession is among one of the hardest hit by this coronavirus outbreak. The instruction for a lockdown is adversely affecting their work because, the nature of the work they do demands regular human contact to help them serve their clients and make money.

Following the lockdown directive by President Cyril Ramaphosa which is making them lose lots of revenue, the South African sex workers are calling on the government to include them among the essential service providing organizations exempted from the lockdown so they can continue to work.

The government is not giving them a listening ear because, the Practice is illegal and any any attempt to engage these people or their association could commit the government in a way give legitimacy to it.

However, an advocacy group called, Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Tax force whom has been fighting for the legalization of the practice over the years is calling on the government to set up a fund to support them during the lockdown if they will not be allowed to operate because.

Explaining further, Leader for the group, Lesego Tlhwale said that, Sex work should be decriminalized so that, in times like this, they can equally enjoy labor rights like all other registered workers. Do you think they have a point? Watch the video below and add your views.