Dutch prostitutes take charge, launching their own brothel with help from Rabobank and investment fund

Amsterdam sex workers have launched a project described as unique in Europe - a brothel run by prostitutes by themselves with no exploitation, thanks to financing from a social investment fund and a major bank.

“Today we are witnessing a breakthrough in the empowerment of sex workers. It is a dream come true,” said spokesman Richard Bouwman.

The project due to open in May 2017, is “the first sex business managed solely by sex workers,” he said at the launch in the Dutch capital.

Prostitution has been legal in the Netherlands since 2000 and sex workers, who are registered with the chamber of commerce, pay taxes on their incomes. Their pimps or handlers must have a permit and often pay a high commission.

The My Red Light project, which involves four buildings comprising 14 of the famous windows looking out onto Amsterdam’s notorious red light district, will enable sex workers to use their incomes to improve their social status.

The scheme, which has resulted from a feasibility study carried out at the request of the city authorities last year, is being backed by the philanthropy fund Start Foundation, as well as the Dutch bank Rabobank.

“My Red Light, founded by sex workers, offers self-employed entrepreneurs within the prostitution sector the opportunity to rent work spaces at attractive rates and flexible terms,” the project said in a statement.