TUC Women’s Conference voted down two motions calling for the decriminalisation of the sex industry just as the Morning Star went to press today.

Motions from the Aslef and GMB unions, entitled Decriminalisation of Sex Work and Sex Work is Still Work, both called for full decriminalisation, arguing that the trade’s criminal nature led to a “a greater risk of exploitation, abuse, and other violence.”

But opponents argued it was dangerous to treat an inherently exploitative and abusive industry, closely linked to human trafficking, as an ordinary job.

After the unions declined to remit, the TUC women’s committee recommended a vote against both. Aslef’s motion 8 was defeated by 93-54 with 63 abstentions, while GMB’s motion 9 was defeated 91-55 with 67 abstentions.

The TUC women’s committee statement said “there must be a path to supporting the women, girls and marginalized groups in the sex industry.  

“We agree that sex workers SHOULD NOT be criminalized. And have long supported the decriminalization of those selling sex.”

But it added: “We disagree that full decriminalisation of the sex industry is the best way to reduce harm and give greater protection, nor will it address the root causes that drive the industry, namely poverty and patriarchy…

“On the evidence that is available the committee agrees with the European Court of Human Rights that violence and harm is inherent to prostitution itself, decriminalising buyers will do nothing to address that, and in practice the riskiest forms of sex work can never comply with health and safety, employment, harassment or criminal law.”