International Union of Sex Workers
 | |
| Full name | International Union of Sex Workers |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 |
| Affiliation | GMB |
| Key people | Ana Lopes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Website | www.iusw.org |
The International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW) is a United Kingdom based trade union for sex workers. It campaigns for the decriminalisation of prostitution, and to have sex work acknowledged as viable labour. In 2002, members voted to affiliate with the GMB, a general workers union. The union now has official recognition as the sex industry branch of the GMB. Some of the services offered by the union include: self-defence classes, free legal advice and training for members who wish to leave the sex industry.
The union was formed in 2000 partly as a response to actions taken by Westminster City Council in London to try and remove prostitutes from the area.
The International Union of Sex Workers supports the x:talk Project, which provides free English classes to migrant sex workers in London.
They are a member of Backlash, which was formed in 2005 in order to oppose a new law criminalising possession of "extreme pornography".
See also
References
- Arthur Ivor Marsh, Victoria Ryan, "Historical Directory of Trade Unions: Including unions in printing and publishing, local government, retail and distribution, domestic services, general employment, financial services, agriculture", Historical Directory of Trade Unions vol.5, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2006, ISBN 0-85967-990-X, p. 330