Sweat director Jill Sloan was quoted by Sapa as saying "We know that the laws which criminalise sex work are under review. Once these are changed, sex work will need to be regulated like any other industry."

She says that the code will also protect all the parties involved, the managers, workers and clients. The regulation of the sex industry is expected to model itself on European countries like the Netherlands, where such regulations are in place, and where the dissemination of safer sex information and the prevention of exploitation have been largely successful.

Says Sloan, "The most important part of the contract relates to safer sex. There are still clients who ask for sex without a condom and are prepared to pay for it, but if the agency sends out a clear message that this is not available it is easier for the sex worker to refuse."

The exploitation of sex workers have in recent years also become a concern and the code of conduct will also address the issue. "There have been cases where masseurs aren't allowed off the premises or are suddenly fined for breaking a rule they didn't know existed," Ms Sloan was quoted by Sapa as saying.

The female sex worker industry will be targeted as soon as it has been fine tuned in the male-to-male industry since it is smaller and more manageable.

an Electronic Mail & Guardian publication

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