PHILIPSBURG--Labour Minister Cornelius de Weever is "suspicious" about questions from attorney Cor Merx about the recently-introduced policy on adult entertainment centres, and suggested that politics had somehow been involved.

 

In an invited comment on the minister's statements, Merx said he will have to consult with his client before determining whether to issue a response.

The minister told reporters during Wednesday's Council of Ministers' weekly press briefing that the new policy was introduced in an attempt to address issues in the industry.

 

The minister said numerous meetings had been held with the owners of adult entertainment centres at University of St. Martin regarding the changes and "never once was Cor Merx present." He said all the questions raised with the adult entertainment centre operators during the USM meetings had been addressed.

 

"I spoke to Cor Merx on Friday, and he posed some questions and these were pretty much the same questions that had been asked during the meeting at USM, which we answered, so for him [Merx – Ed.] to come back up with this seems to me to be a little bit suspicious, but as you know, there have been cases of human trafficking in the sex trade."

 

The minister said government has tried to address human trafficking issues by stipulating that contracts were needed between Commercial Sex Workers and the adult entertainment centres. "A template of a contract was even provided for use, so that both parties can be aware of the type of business that they will be engaged in, and that they are not coming here under any kind of false pretence."

 

De Weever suggested that Merx's line of questioning had somehow been political. "Sometimes you see the long hand of politics being exposed, and I hope that we can address this and put this to an end pretty soon," he told reporters.

 

One aspect of the new policy regulating the permit application process for Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) is that sex workers are eligible for a permit as of age 21 and not age 25, as is stated in the general permit conditions.

 

De Weever: "Even before I took office, I was confronted with the age limit of these ladies. I don't look at things one dimensional, as just the age. I always try to look at things holistically and more importantly, it's about setting priorities, and was this priority for me - absolutely not. There were more issues in the labour market that needed to be addressed and this came as one of the things that needed to be addressed."

 

Policy

The new policy stipulates that adult entertainment centres will be required to obtain an operating license from the Ministry of Justice. This is contained in the new Penal Code. The licensing requirement aims to protect commercial sex workers and make the sector more transparent and more efficiently regulated.

 

The aspect of the policy, as it relates to the application process for employment permits for commercial sex workers, is already being applied by the Labour Affairs Agency. The new policy stipulates that requests for an employment permit for a commercial sex worker shall be subject to a number of conditions. These conditions include that the permits will be "strictly personal and club-related." The regulations stipulate that the health minister can impose conditions for permits for CSWs. Employment permits will be granted for a period of six months, during which time CSWs will be able to operate at a club. A quota system is in place, stipulating a maximum number of CSWs allowed to operate at a club. Each operator of a club will be required to apply for an employment permit for every new CSW at the Labour Affairs Agency, at least one month before the term of the existing employment permit has ended. There are no requirements as it relates to recruiting from the local labour market.

 

Amongst other documents, CSWs will be required to submit a medical certificate from their country of origin. A fixed-term contract (six months) with the club in English, as well as in the respective native language of the CSW, is also required. Other required documents are a completed medical insurance; proof of evidence that the operator has paid its social premiums and income tax, and a medical examination of the CSW by an SZV designated doctor. Once all requirements are met, decisions on permits should be given in two weeks.

 

Although the new Penal Code is not in effect, the minister had decided not to wait, but to anticipate the entry into force of the new Penal Code by handling the conditions as laid down in the position paper with respect to the processing of applications for employment permits for CSWs by the Labour Affairs Agency.

 

(The Daily Herald)

 

Related article:

-  Former Minister on new policy rules for exotic dancers