The adult club owners have a point (see related article). While few would claim that there is no exploitation in St. Maarten’s sex industry, abruptly stopping the issuance of work and residence permits for exotic dancers without feasible and readily-available
alternatives is hardly ideal.
It’s understandable that Government does not want to become an accomplice in human trafficking, as indicated during a recent court hearing, and having prostitutes work as independent entrepreneurs seems preferable, but ending the existing procedure from one day to the next before another can be put in place is a different story. A transition period until a proper policy has been set and executed might indeed be in order, although the judge apparently will have the final word on that.
Ironically, the clubs said they favoured the idea, but former Minister Cornelius de Weever made them sign employment contracts with the girls. It’s only right to clarify that he obviously did so precisely in an effort to better regulate the sector and enhance compliance with labour legislation.
Several months have passed since no new “female entertainers” can be brought in, while the six-month terms of those on the island are running out and they must leave on order of Immigration authorities. This obviously is affecting the income of the nine businesses involved, which reportedly have a total of 100 or so workers and paid a combined US $1.2 million per year in permit fees.
There was talk of an increased threat of rape if the clubs become unable to service their clients. One even mentioned having to hire local women to do the job and said some already were lined up to begin.
The latter may not go down well with everyone, but the proposed new system could well promote just that, also because people living on the island probably would have an advantage over foreigners theoretically still abroad when it comes to applying for such an entrepreneur’s licence, although embarrassment in a relative small community could play a role. As a matter of fact, the change from actively recruiting the exotic dancers in other counties to having persons take initiative to start on their own requires the necessary attention as well as unambiguous rules and regulations.
Some type of temporary arrangement giving all parties involved at least a realistic and responsible timeframe to adjust seems reasonable enough.
