Prostitution has been a legal industry inside Switzerland since the enactment of the Swiss Criminal Code in As Euro zone economies are beginning to falter, migrant prostitutes from neighboring countries like Italy and Spain continue to make their way into the alpine country in hopes of avoiding the global slowdown. Instead they find themselves trying to survive in the streets, competing for fewer clients among a growing population of undocumented migrant sex workers.
Geneva itself has over 4, registered prostitutes, although according to the Police Vice Unit, only 25 percent reported regular business activity in There were an estimated 70,, illegal immigrants in Switzerland in and as surrounding countries continue to struggle economically, experts anticipate that illegal immigration and prostitution will only continue to increase. While noting that prostitution does not necessarily imply human trafficking, the economic crisis in Europe raises new concerns about the topic as criminal networks move women into countries less affected by the financial crisis.
For illegal immigrants the streets and seedy bars of Paquis are where they sell their services. To combat deteriorating conditions, the sex workers of Paquis have recently formed the first sex workers syndicate in Switzerland. The issues are numerous. The syndicate is also asking for greater human rights in protection and also for the Police Vice Unit of Paquis in Geneva to tighten down on all incidents of violence against women, especially violence against sex workers in the area.
As anti-immigrant sentiments have been rising throughout Europe, they often press down on migrant women who have come to the Swiss region to work as sex workers. They also feel they might be sanctioned by the Swiss government after their illegal status is revealed if they see a nurse or a doctor, or if they are billed afterwords for any health care services.
The goal is to help undocumented migrants feel more at ease to receive the care they need. In spite of this some undocumented migrant women who work in the sex industry may continue to hide deteriorating health conditions as long as possible.
