New sex workers rise in Bhutan forcing existing ones to reduce rates

The number of sex workers are on the rise in India’s neighbouring country Bhutan.

Even though sex work is illegal in the small Himalayan Kingdom, however a volunteer organization working with the rights of sex workers has recently conducted research and reported increasing number of sex workers in the country’s capital Thimpu.  

Indian media Anandabazar Patrika published a report regarding the matter.

According to the report, the coronavirus pandemic is one of the pivotal reasons for the massive increase in the number of sex workers in Bhutan. 

As economies have crashed, millions of people all over the world were laid off. Similarly, many female workers in Bhutan have lost their jobs and become unemployed due to the Covid-19 situation. Thus, for survival many are now forced into prostitution.

Citing the survey by the voluntary organization, Anandabazar reported that the number of sex workers has risen in the big cities of the country. An important factor behind this is that sex workers from border and remote areas migrate to big cities in search of work. 

Financial issues are the primary reason, apart from all. Moreover, with the rising number of sex workers, the old sex workers are being forced to reduce the price to the customers as there are more sex workers in town now.

According to a survey by a voluntary organization, sex workers are reaching out to clients through phone and the internet to increase their income. 

Not only that, sex workers are also going to residential hotels if required. The survey also found that many hotels in Thimphu are renting cheap rooms for sex work. Hotel owners, however, have denied renting rooms for sex workers.