Abstract
This article examines the working conditions in sex and entertainment work in Thailand using the Unacceptable Forms of Work (UFW) Framework. Criminalisation of sex work and insufficient oversight of labour conditions increase the vulnerability of sex workers to police harassment; prevent sex workers from accessing legal and social protections; and contribute to the decent work deficit in the sector. Protecting the human rights of sex workers and ensuring decent work in the Thai sex and entertainment industry necessarily involves the decriminalisation of sex work; amending labour and social protection laws, policies, and systems to be inclusive of sex workers; and ensuring implementation. Throughout the process of policy change, the involvement of sex workers, their employers, and civil society organisations is crucial.
Highlights
Most debates on sex work are linked to morality and traditional gender and sexual norms, rather than public health and human rights
Protecting the human rights of sex workers and ensuring decent work in the Thai sex and entertainment industry necessarily involves the decriminalisation of sex work; amending labour and social protection laws, policies, and systems to be inclusive of sex workers; and ensuring implementation
Data collection was done in five locations: Bangkok, Chonburi (Pattaya), Chiang Mai, Sa Kaeo, and Udonthani from December 2014 to May 2015. Building on this primary data and a desk review of relevant literature and national policies on sex work in Thailand, this paper identifies the lack of decent work conditions in the Thai sex and entertainment sector within the twelve Dimensions of the Unacceptable Forms of Work (UFW) Framework.[13]
Summary
Most debates on sex work are linked to morality and traditional gender and sexual norms, rather than public health and human rights. Data collection was done in five locations: Bangkok, Chonburi (Pattaya), Chiang Mai, Sa Kaeo, and Udonthani from December 2014 to May 2015 Building on this primary data and a desk review of relevant literature and national policies on sex work in Thailand, this paper identifies the lack of decent work conditions in the Thai sex and entertainment sector within the twelve Dimensions of the Unacceptable Forms of Work (UFW) Framework.[13] The UFW Framework was developed to address labour issues in informal work sectors,[14] especially where marginalised populations predominate—including, but , sex work and domestic work. Addressing these issues in the sex and entertainment industry requires the decriminalisation of sex work and meaningful recognition of the human and labour rights of sex workers
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