German City’s Prostitute Meter-Tax Raises Eyebrows

Bonn, the former West German capital, has introduced a parking meter for prostitutes, a first in Germany, in order to tax those who just work the streets, a city spokeswoman said Wednesday.

"We expect to get some 200,000 euros ($288,000) per year from the meter," Isabelle Klotz told AFP.

New Tricks Being Learnt by Dutch Prostitutes
These days technology has forced even prostitutes to innovate as Dutch prostitute Terry van der Zijden proudly points to a photo she took of the bedroom in which she plies her trade

The meter, which looks like one used by drivers for parking their car, was inaugurated at the weekend in an industrial area, near the centre of town, used by prostitutes to solicit clients.

Prostitutes have to pay six euros ($8.6) per night worked, regardless of how many customers they have.

On Monday when the meter was first emptied, 264 euros had been paid in, Klotz said.

Lot of Prostitutes to Improve
The Supreme Court in India has cited instances from literature to focus on the traumatic life of prostitutes and the responsibility of governments to help them find an alternative life style.

Some 200 women are believed to occasionally work the streets in Bonn, but the average overnight tally is 20.

If prostitutes fail to buy a ticket, valid overnight from 8 pm to 6 am, they will first be warned and then fined, she added. Leaflets in German and other languages have been handed out to inform the prostitutes of the new rule.

Former Teen Prostitute Sues Village Voice Media for Encouraging Sex Trafficking
A former teen prostitute has taken Village Voice Media to court for encouraging sex trafficking by allowing pimps to post ads on the site.

"Other towns also tax prostitutes but we are the first to have a meter," Klotz said.

"Women who work in brothels also pay the tax. But until now it had been difficult to get women on the street to pay. Thanks to this new method we will be able to tax them in all fairness with the others", she added.

Motorists Confused by Italian Town's 'Beware of Prostitutes' Road Signs
Special road signs have been installed near Treviso, northern Italy, warning commuters of prostitutes.

Juanita Rosina Henning, from the Dona Carmen prostitute-support group, called for the meter's removal, saying the women already pay income tax on their earnings.

"This has nothing to do with fiscal equality," she said, adding that prostitutes were the only workers to be taxed in such a way.

"We call on the city to remove the meter," she added.

Source-AFP