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The 'Can Do Bar': A New Beginning
By D. Arul Rajoo
CHIANG MAI, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Can sex workers design and own a
bar, or can they be employed under the labour law and bring
disrepute to the labour court?
In what is believed to be the first of its kind in the country,
women workers in the entertainment industry in this northern
Thailand city have established the "Can Do Bar".
It is owned by 10 sex workers who spent one million baht to
design and operate the bar under an experimental project by the
Empower Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that assists
sex workers in the kingdom.
"We pool our resources and experiences to create this bar.
It's open to all sex workers in the city, and those who
contributed became our shareholders," said Pornpit Pakmai,
a shareholder and coordinator of Empower, here.
In a city known for its karaoke, bar and other entertainment
outlets that employ more than 20,000 workers, Pornpit said the
two-month-old bar wanted to promote itself as a role model where
workers were treated fairly under good working conditions.
During a visit to the bar by a group of Asian journalists
visiting HIV/Aids prevention programmes here under the
auspicious of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Pornpit said
they had no qualms about being called sex workers.
She said any woman who wanted to work at the bar must be above
18 and expose herself as a sex worker to ensure her rights as an
employee were recognised.
"But we don't encourage sex in our outlets. If our workers
want to engage in such activities outside our premises, that is
their personal matter," said the mother of a three-year-old
girl.
Unlike many entertainment outlets where workers are treated like
"modern day slaves", the "Can Do Bar" girls
work eight hours a day with an hour's rest, voluntary overtime,
10-day paid holidays, 13 public holidays, sick leave and the
right to form a union.
Besides its usual bar setting, the place was designed to comply
with Thai labour law, while workers were given training on
occupational health and safety standards, as well as on
emergency procedures, first aid and sound system knowledge.
While the ground floor also has dancing polls, the second floor
has an exhibition area or sex workers' museum showing a
collection of adult magazines, books, posted letters covering
400 years of prostitution in the country, a computer with
Internet access and a meeting room.
Pornpit said workers could rest on the third level.
The bar owners are also health-conscious, providing free condoms
while all workers must go for monthly medical examinations and
screening for HIV/AIDS which is high in the northern region.*
"It's too early to say whether we are successful or not. We
are getting good support from NGOs who organise parties and
meetings at our place," said Pornpit.
Being a role model is not the only aim of the establishment.
"Opening a Sex Workers University is our long-term
aim," said 35-year-old Nui Pitlai, who confessed to having
entered the sex industry five years ago.
"Many people, including researchers, want to know about the
industry, the workers and our problems. Our idea may look very
ambitious but we are working towards that," she said.
The native of Chiang Mai said they were collecting historical
facts and articles on the sex industry that could be useful for
the general public.
"It's good for us, as we can share our experiences and
problems with others, especially students, doctors, nurses and
even monks. For example, doctors may feel uncomfortable to talk
about sex education or usage of condoms to villagers and
students," she added.
In fact, Nui said, she and some of her fellow workers had
already been assisting government agencies to give sex education
to students.
Furthermore, Nui said Empower and the bar had become a focal
point for bar girls who wanted to marry foreigners and migrate
to other countries.
"We use the Internet to contact our former colleagues who
have already settled down in other countries. They can advise
the other girls on the problems and what to expect if they
migrate," she added.
For sex workers like Pornpit and Nui, the opening of the bar is
one way to change the mindsets of people who consider sex
workers as not human, and who can be abused and without rights
to the legal process.
-- BERNAMA
* NOTE from
Pornpit:
Just wanted to
clarify that they have got this very wrong:
"...
all workers must go for monthly medical examinations and
screening for HIV/AIDS which is high in the northern
region."
This is not true,
there is access to health benefits but NO mandatory anything at
Can Do.
-cheers,
Porn
Original link: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=232637
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