Coronavirus dealt a devastating blow to the Dutch capital's notorious window brothels and left over legally operating sex workers without an income for almost four months. The district in Amsterdam's historic center, known locally as De Wallen, relies heavily on tourism and normally attracts over a million visitors a month.
The pandemic plunged the sex industry into deep financial trouble and reignited a debate about the future of the Red Light District.
When the lockdown began, many sex workers chose to return to their home countries in eastern Europe, according to Felicia Anna, a Romanian sex worker and founder of Red Light United, a trade union representing women. Many of those who stayed worked illegally.
They were all gone in one day. Then I stopped counting," says Anita, a year-old sex worker whose name has been changed to protect her identity. Brink of bankruptcy. Amsterdam's mayor wants to relocate the city's sex industry out of town.
They were scared of the risk of Covid infection and the general insecurity about income," says Eric Hamaker, owner of Red Light Tax, a bookkeeping firm that handles the finances of many sex workers. The Dutch government gave the green light for brothels to reopen at the start of July after originally announcing that they would stay closed until September.
Sex workers are encouraged to ask their clients whether they have Covid symptoms. New hygiene measures include washing hands, extra showering, no kissing and limiting face-to-face contact.
Closure of the Red Light District during virus lockdown pushed many sex workers to the brink of bankruptcy. The answers refer to window prostitutes in the Red Light District RLD , by the way - for Amsterdam call girls and those working in clubs or even from home, some things are different.
From about noon until long after midnight, the girls stand behind red-lit glass doors, dressed in fancy underwear, looking to attract the attention of passers-by. Men walk up and down past the windows, and if they see a girl they like, they knock on her door, she opens and they shortly negotiate what will be done, for how long, against what price. If they agree, the man enters, and door and curtain close behind him. The Amsterdam Red Light District is much more relaxed and laid-back than red light districts elsewhere.
Especially during the evenings, many people are present - man and women, many of them tourists or just passing by. The prostitutes are used to seeing lots of tourists.
It's a relative safe part of town. Usually, there are some drug sellers and pickpockets active, and you may hear a "Psst! Just ignore them, or politely decline, and they will usually leave you alone. The best place to visit is after dark, when the red lights create a special atmosphere. There are good guided tours as well. The Amsterdam prostitutes will verbally abuse you if they spot a camera, or even throw your camera in a canal.
That said, some people manage to take some quick shots. There are also a few spots where you can take nice pictures without recognizable people on them. Just remember that many girls haven't told their family and friends about their vocation. Sorry you had to find out this way. They are transgenders, travestites, or any other type of homo sapiens. You would be surprised what is possible in this respect. Around 1, prostitutes work in Amsterdam on any given day, and a few hundred of them work behind the windows in the Red Light District.
The others work in clubs, brothels, for escort services or from home. Totally, the city has about such windows, with the big majority of them located at the Wallen in the Red Light District. Both prostitutes and their clients could do their thing legally since However, the ban on brothels i. Both prostitutes and brothels pay taxes, and brothels need to have a permit. Prostitutes even have a union De Rode Draad , although most prostitutes won't become members for various reasons. At the same time, prostitution will probably never be seen as a regular job.
Prostitutes and brothels still have problems with getting company insurances and bank loans. Prostitutes must be 18 at least. So what does the Amsterdam Prostitution Menu looks like? The Trompettersteeg in De Wallen. Each part dedicated to their own unique experience and accompanying prices.
Please note that this Amsterdam Prostitution Menu shows what is generally offered. Please check the latest corona measures for sex work in the Netherlands at the website of the Dutch government: Rijksoverheid. Window prostitution can be considered as the most accessible form of prostitution.
This area has currently window brothels and approximately prostitutes who work during the day or night shifts. Just a few are actually Dutch. Foreign prostitutes work here because in the Netherlands they can work safely. Window brothels in Amsterdam can be rented by the prostitutes during the day or the night.
Amsterdam, Red Light District, Stoofsteeg. The window brothels are set up for a relatively short visit. Generally customers pay between 50 to 80 euro for around 15 to 20 minutes of sex. But if you want, you can also stay longer 30 to 60 minutes. Obviously this cost more. The sex workers in the window brothels differ in the services that they offer and everything can be negotiated. As long as it is done respectfully.
The starting rate for every window prostitute negotiation is usually around 50 euro. Window brothels are just small rooms with a plastic or leather bed, a washing table, a chair and toilet in the back. This is also why prices are lower at the window brothels compared to brothels like Club LV or Club BonTon that are mentioned below.
All window brothels in Amsterdam are clean though. A smaller part of the window workers are transgender. The prostitutes who work in the window brothels of Amsterdam accept only cash money. No credit- or debit card payments. One reason that sex workers cannot be paid digitally is because listed banks do not want to be associated with sex work and therefore do not facilitate digital payments. A condom shop in Amsterdam Red Light District. Prostitutes are regularly tested on a voluntary basis.
They can be tested for free and anonymously by professionals. In general, the health of the sex workers is good.
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