Who is the Claimant? 

EM is a sex worker, and an organiser and activist with the sex workers’ branch of the trade union United Voices of the World and the Decrim Now campaign for the decriminalisation of sex work. We are referring to her as EM, because the Employment Tribunal has granted her full anonymity in this litigation in part because of the inherent dangers of full service sex work.

What is at stake?

In 2018 EM started work as a hostess at a private member’s club (“the Club”). As in most other gentlemen's and strip clubs, the Club set the terms and conditions of hostess work, including: hostesses had to work in week-long blocks, holiday leave was subject to Club approval and the Club set rates for members to book time with a hostess.

In addition, the Club admits that it ran a system of fines for lateness and absence. The Club has not admitted how much the fines were, but the fine for lateness was up to £300 and for non-attendance was up to £500.

After a member who booked her was violent EM joined the sex workers’ branch of the trade union United Voices of the World. EM sought to rally her colleagues to collectively challenge the system of fines and other unfair work practices. When the Club found out, EM was confronted for “encouraging them to rise up against us” and summarily dismissed.

EM is now taking the Club to the Employment Tribunal to prove that she was “a worker” with the right not to be penalised for trade union activity and entitled to holiday pay.

Why EM needs your help

The Tribunal hearing to determine whether she had worker status starts on 18 February. This is a David and Goliath battle. The Club have instructed a top West End firm of solicitors and leading Queen’s Counsel to argue that EM had no trade union or other employment rights. By contrast, EM is represented by Southwark Law Centre (a not for profit community law centre) under a no win no fee arrangement. To have a fair chance of achieving the correct result in this case, one which will encourage other sex workers to enforce their rights as workers, EM needs to raise £5,000 inclusive of VAT to fund her barrister’s fees for the hearing, and calls for your solidarity.

Conditions in the sex industry can be appalling. Fines, bullying and unfair dismissals will remain the norm so long as employers can victimise workers for trade union organising with impunity. Winning this case will encourage other hostesses to stand up to exploitative bosses and send a message to all managers: sex workers are supported in fighting for their rights!

Thank you for your solidarity.