Hard times for sex workers

2005-12-23 21:55

Lindsay Barnes

Pietermaritzburg - Sex workers here will not be upping their rates this festive season as business has already dropped substantially this month, with many of their clients having spent their bonuses on presents or left the city on holiday.

In contrast, work in the province's coastal resorts is booming, especially with holidaymakers streaming down from Gauteng since many schools closed on December 2.

"Business is terrible," said a woman who works from a bed and breakfast establishment in the Pietermaritzburg central business district.

Stressed

"November was very busy but things started getting quiet about a week ago. Maybe its because they are spending on Christmas presents instead or they are going on holiday," she said.

"We are all very stressed over money now,".

She described some Christmases as surprisingly very busy and others as quiet, but could not say why this was. While she expects business to start picking up in the first or second week of January, she is looking around for other work.

"I'm trying to leave the job. I would prefer doing anything else but life is life," she said.

Ups and downs

A woman who works at a lodge in the CBD and earns up to R5 000-R6 000 a week if she works hard, said business was good most of this year but it went quiet suddenly a week ago. Some of her regular clients have told her they will be away on holiday over the festive season.

"Our business is like any other - it has good months and bad months. I've spoken to some of my friends and they also say it's quiet. Last year December was quiet too but I've heard that Durban is busy now," she said.

A blonde 28-year-old who works from a house in Montrose and who described her clients as mostly local and "very decent people", said she would not be increasing her rates over the festive season, even though many people will be getting bonuses this month.

"October and November were very busy but this December has been very, very quiet, maybe because people are on holiday," she said.

Feast or famine

However, for a woman who works from her home in an upmarket area in the city, servicing clients mostly from other cities, business is "buzzing".

"I am having a bumper festive season. Business is very, very good. December is my busiest time. I don't want to boast but there is always a need for this sex work," she said.

"On one day I earned R3 900 but my target is at least R1 000 a day.

"I've been in this business for 11 years and it's a hard job, talking on the phone, bathing in between and getting dressed. Some people are very aggressive," she said. "However, she expects business to slow down by the end of January or early February, possibly because her clients have spent most of their money over the festive season and on school fees.

- The Witness