Summary study report: Viet Nam's Sex Industry - A Labour Rights Perspective

The new ILO study showed that poor working conditions were prevalent in sex work in Viet Nam.

About 170 male, female, and transgender sex worekrs working in adult entertainment businesses, on streets, and as freelancers, and 22 pimps participated in in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. All but two were voluntary to enter sex industry, and most of them had had informal jobs before sex work. Non-compliance against Viet Nam's laws was reported by venue-based sex workers, such as identity card seized, withholidng wage, workers' movement control, no labour contract, violence perpetuated by employers. Violence and fear of it was reported in all workplace settings and by almost all workers. Street was the highest risk workplace for violence, and women workers were the most likely to experience it. Long working hours, no paid leave, poor physical working conditions, stigma and discrimination, and violence are named as a few factors that have implications for these workers' safetey and health issues.