This paper discusses how sex workers from the sex worker organisation, AMMAR-Córdoba, Argentina developed proposals for new legislation through grassroots sex worker consultation. Involving sex workers in law making and monitoring is necessary because existing models have not only failed to improve social conditions for sex workers, but have negatively affected their vulnerability. In Argentina, the voluntary exchange of sexual services for money is not a crime, although provincial law in Córdoba forbids ‘disturbing or scandalous prostitution’. A recent wave of pressure to abolish sex work has intensified exploitation and repression of sex workers, yet criminal networks of sexual exploitation continue to operate with impunity. In 2012 organised sex workers gathered in assemblies to discuss what they wanted from the law. Sex workers met and first reviewed existing legislation, with the support of legal facilitators. They proposed defining sex work as the voluntary exchange of sexual services from an adult person in exchange for money for his or her own benefit. Their proposed law recommends that sex worker registration should be free, anonymous, confidential and non-transferrable and administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. One of the most debated topics in development of the bill was provisions regarding the police. They suggest that the Ministry of Labour, together with representatives of sex workers, and not the police themselves should be in charge of monitoring the enforcement of the law. These decisions were translated into a formal draft Bill, shared with other Argentinian sex work organisations and then sent to members of the Provincial Parliament for formal consideration. AMMAR members have met with politicians who might sponsor their proposal in Parliament.1
1. Fassi MN. Sex work and the claim for grassroots legislation. Culture, Health & Sexuality 2015;online publication 8 January. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2014.990517.