Sex workers call for 'fair deal'

SYDNEY - Sex workers across Australia are lobbying state governments for increased protection under anti-discrimination laws to help end what they say is a wide-spread problem plaguing the profession.

The Scarlet Alliance, a peak body representing the nation's sex workers, is calling for amendments to existing legislation to cover the industry's estimated 20,000 workers.

"Sex work is legal in all states and territories, sex workers are tax payers, and we believe we deserve the same rights as everyone else," the alliance's CEO Janelle Fawkes told AAP today, which sex workers have designated International Whores Day.

"We are sisters, mothers, wives, brothers, sons.

"We pay our taxes, we provide a service to the community and we deserve the same rights."

Ms Fawkes believes social attitudes have been slow to change, even though sex work is no longer illegal.

Sex workers will rally on Saturday in capital cities around the country, including Sydney where hundreds are expected to protest at the Opera House carrying red umbrellas.

NSW has the highest concentration of sex workers - about 8000 - yet its anti-discrimination laws are inferior to the ACT's, Queensland's and Tasmania's, Ms Fawkes says.

In those jurisdictions, legislation protects against discrimination based on legal sexual activity or occupation.

"The other states have fallen behind quite dramatically," she said.

"It has been brought to the attention of the other states why this needs to happen, it is very clear to them but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be the political will to take the next step to change the legislation."

Sex workers are most commonly discriminated against when applying for rental properties, bank loans and credit cards, according to the alliance.

It is also prevalent in dealings with police and within the judicial system, including in custody cases where women will often lose because of the negative stereotypes associated with their jobs, Ms Fawkes says.

"This is unacceptable and sex workers will continue to demand an end to discriminatory practices and policies which directly impact on our livelihoods and lives," she said.

"We will continue to demand the introduction of anti-discrimination protections in each state and territory."

- AAP