Switzerland to nix 'stripper' visas

[webfact]

Switzerland to nix 'stripper' visas
Agence France-Presse
GENEVA

GENEVA: -- Switzerland announced Wednesday that it would stop issuing special work permits for foreign strippers, who hail from countries such as Russia, the Dominican Republic and Thailand.

The government said that the eight-month permits would no longer be granted after the end of 2015, on the grounds that they had stoked sexual exploitation in the Alpine country.

"Women are forced to drink alcohol, to prostitute themselves, and it is very difficult to prove it," Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga told reporters.

Created in 1995, the permits were meant to protect foreign women who wanted to work as nightclub dancers and strippers from unscrupulous players in the sex business.

But after in-depth studies, the government decided that so-called "L permit" status for the women was not having its desired effect.

"Based on a range of police investigations, in 2010 the Federal Migration Office reached the conclusion that the status was no longer playing its protective role and was enabling exploitation and human trafficking," the government said in a statement on Wednesday.

As a result, the government began moves in 2012 to void the rules.

From January 1, 2016, only women from the European Union will be allowed to come to Switzerland to work in nightclubs.

Switzerland is not part of the EU, but is ringed by its member states and has strong economic ties with the 28-nation bloc.

Immigration is closely regulated in Switzerland, with various categories of residence permits known by letters of the alphabet.

C permits are allocated to non-Swiss permanent residents, while the next step down is a B permit, renewable every year.

The L permits granted to nightclub dancers and strippers enabled them to work short term and send money home to their families.

Switzerland issued 844 such permits in 2013, far below the 5,686 given out in 2005, Sommaruga noted.

And half of Switzerland’s 26 cantons -- the equivalent of US states -- no longer issue them at all.

Critics of the system have complained that the women are often forced to pay bribes to middleman in order to get their L permit.

But campaigners have warned that getting rid of the permits could simply drive strippers into working illegally, raising the risk of exploitation.

"The end of these permits will not solve all the problems, far from it," said Sommaruga.

The government has pledged to help women exploited by the trade, with special procedures to enable them to return home or apply for a Swiss residence permit.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Switzerland-to-nix-stripper-visas-30246098.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-23

[horsewell]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The government makes a law thinking that it is protecting a certain group but after being in effect for 15 years; does a study and realises that it wasn't such a good idea; then it takes another 5 to change the law. The main problem with criminal activity is that the people doing it don't follow the laws, no law will stop them doing what they want and there is always a way. Some people will always be exploited.

Mind you they haven't just changed the laws, they have announced the changes and there is still over a year before the new regulations come into force.

This is a great example of how governments don't know what is best and they are only experimenting... with our lives.

Edited October 23, 2014 by horsewell

[Costas2008]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The government makes a law thinking that it is protecting a certain group but after being in effect for 15 years; does a study and realises that it wasn't such a good idea; then it takes another 5 to change the law. The main problem with criminal activity is that the people doing it don't follow the laws, no law will stop them doing what they want and there is always a way. Some people will always be exploited.

Mind you they haven't just changed the laws, they have announced the changes and there is still over a year before the new regulations come into force.

This is a great example of how governments don't know what is best and they are only experimenting... with our lives.

You seem to be very upset about the strippers

Don't worry, there are always going to be there...........even in Switzerland

[horsewell]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The government makes a law thinking that it is protecting a certain group but after being in effect for 15 years; does a study and realises that it wasn't such a good idea; then it takes another 5 to change the law. The main problem with criminal activity is that the people doing it don't follow the laws, no law will stop them doing what they want and there is always a way. Some people will always be exploited.

Mind you they haven't just changed the laws, they have announced the changes and there is still over a year before the new regulations come into force.

This is a great example of how governments don't know what is best and they are only experimenting... with our lives.

You seem to be very upset about the strippers

Don't worry, there are always going to be there...........even in Switzerland

I'm sure there will be... my point is more about the law.

[bassman]

"And half of Switzerland’s 26 cantons -- the equivalent of US states -- no longer issue them at all."

And I always thought Switzerland was a small country!

[Ulysses G.]

"From January 1, 2016, only women from the European Union will be allowed to come to Switzerland to work in nightclubs."

Obvious racism and elitism - discrimination against strippers from poor countries.

Edited October 23, 2014 by Ulysses G.

[Suradit69]

But after in-depth studies, the government decided that so-called "L permit" status for the women was not having its desired effect.

Provide special visas for women to come to work in the sex trade and then realize it was promoting exploitation. Makes the term "Gnomes of Zurich" all the more appropriate and not just for their bankers.

Gnomes of Zürich is a disparaging term for Swiss bankers. Swiss bankers are popularly associated with extremely secretive policies, while gnomes in fairy tales live underground, in secret, counting their riches. Zürich is the commercial center of Switzerland

.

Edited October 23, 2014 by Suradit69

[Lupatria]

"From January 1, 2016, only women from the European Union will be allowed to come to Switzerland to work in nightclubs."

Obvious racism and elitism - discrimination against strippers from poor countries.

On the other hand, how many European strippers and hookers would be granted a stay in LOS without bribing the cops/immigration?

[ggt]

was enabling exploitation and human trafficking

Why are these women lining up to be..."sexually exploited"?

This is the oldest profession...can not be stamped out by regulations...

Better to provide access to health benefits and evaluations...rather than sending them underground...to be REALLY exploited...

[Khun David]

Government consists of people who have never ran a thing in their whole lives, Professional politicians who have no idea of the real world. This sums it up perfectly

[maidee]

oh no, more jobless thais

[nahkit]

was enabling exploitation and human trafficking

Why are these women lining up to be..."sexually exploited"?

This is the oldest profession...can not be stamped out by regulations...

Better to provide access to health benefits and evaluations...rather than sending them underground...to be REALLY exploited...

Why should the Swiss taxpayer finance health benefits to people there on a temporary visa?

[CraigSchuler]

Guess I can scratch Switzerland off my vacation wish list!

[bangkapi]

Police State!!!

[Neilly]

oh no, more jobless thais

Switzerland issued 844 such permits in 2013

Only about 844...sure soi cowboy etc can handle the excess

[Nemesis7]

was enabling exploitation and human trafficking

Why are these women lining up to be..."sexually exploited"?

This is the oldest profession...can not be stamped out by regulations...

Better to provide access to health benefits and evaluations...rather than sending them underground...to be REALLY exploited...

Why should the Swiss taxpayer finance health benefits to people there on a temporary visa?

And please help me to understand why should Swiss tax payers have to bring strippers from other countries ? And if they have to bring them than whats wrong in providing them with health benefits???

[nahkit]

was enabling exploitation and human trafficking

Why are these women lining up to be..."sexually exploited"?

This is the oldest profession...can not be stamped out by regulations...

Better to provide access to health benefits and evaluations...rather than sending them underground...to be REALLY exploited...

Why should the Swiss taxpayer finance health benefits to people there on a temporary visa?

And please help me to understand why should Swiss tax payers have to bring strippers from other countries ? And if they have to bring them than whats wrong in providing them with health benefits???

They don't 'have to' bring them, they allow them to come. (no pun intended)

Edited October 25, 2014 by nahkit

[Somtamnication]

This news came just in time! I had to run after the EMS truck and actually caught with it and got my visa application back. PHEW!!!!!!

[Ulic]

Ridiculous, the women are not being exploited at all. The big money is in prostitution, 100 SF (about 4000 baht) for 20 minutes.

Not sure what the split with the house is but the women do very, very, well.

[tw25rw]

The sex industry is massive all over Europe. It's not like they are going to starve.