Sex workers at the Penthouse club, located in Sydney's central business district, are demanding fairer working conditions, cleaner environments, and the right to determine the services they offer. This push for improved pay and conditions culminated recently when seven of the club's workers, armed with signed letters, staged a protest, asserting their grievances against the establishment.
The situation turned tense on Friday night when club employee Iris Hues, alongside her fellow protesters, accused the management of modifying the pricing structure without any corresponding increase in their earnings. "Today, we walk out – until our needs are met," the letters stated, emphasizing the workers' desire for adequate compensation for their services.
Hues explained how the club introduced new rates at the beginning of the month, which raised the fees imposed on clients but left the workers' share unchanged. This included hidden charges and penalties on the workers, affecting their bottom line significantly. "You raise your cut on extra services we provide, without a raise for the ones providing it," she added, highlighting the unfair distribution of earnings.
Allegations extended beyond financial discrepancies to concerns about the work environment itself. The protesters claimed the club consistently failed to maintain hygiene standards, which they argued led to several respiratory problems, including pneumonia, among the workers. According to Hues, "We didn't get to communicate or open a dialogue with management at all." Coupled with their demands for financial fairness is the demand for sanitary working conditions.
Witnesses reported alarming incidents during the protest, with one worker allegedly assaulted inside the venue simply for carrying a placard. This got the attention of New South Wales police, who stated they had received reports of the altercation and were investigating the incident. Despite the disturbing atmosphere, many women at the club feel they cannot risk voicing their concerns, fearing repercussions on their employment.
The complexity of the situation became even clearer when Hues shared her own experience of being fired after raising concerns about the working conditions. This reflected the precarious nature of employment for many sex workers, as they find themselves trapped between the desire for change and the fear of losing their source of income. "There is a large portion of girls who can’t afford to not work, or can’t afford to go and find another brothel,” she explained, underscoring the difficulties faced by many who feel helpless against their employers.
The protest at Penthouse is not happening in isolation but is reminiscent of similar movements within the industry, such as the Fired Up Stilettos movement from New Zealand, as well as historical strikes made by strippers in Sydney's Kings Cross region. Sex workers hope their direct action will spur significant changes to where they work and for how much they are compensated.
Their demand for reinstatement of the previous profit split—a 60/40 ratio favoring the workers—also highlights the pressing nature of their plight. Currently, they allege the club has reverted to splitting earnings from services more favorably for management, compounding their grievances.
This strike bears significant weight, particularly as sex work is gradually decriminalized across Australia. Leaders within the advocacy movement are hopeful such movements will change how sex work is perceived and treated by both the public and management. Mish Pony, chief executive of Scarlet Alliance, remarked on the importance of raising awareness and changing policies to empower sex workers rather than letting the system favor business owners who profit from their labor.
Despite these brave steps forward, the future remains uncertain for the workers involved. All seven have claimed to have lost their contracts following the strike, which raises questions about job security within such vulnerable trades. "The power imbalance has been in the favor of the pimps and the bosses for too long when the sex industry has always belonged to its workers. We make them their money," Hues stated emphatically, emphasizing the need for systemic change.
With the situation still developing and investigations underway by local police, the voices of sex workers fighting for justice and respect within their profession continue to echo through the streets of Sydney. Their resilience showcases not only the strength of the individuals involved but highlights the urgent need for dialogue surrounding sex work laws and worker rights.
