By Lloyd Takawira
With brisky business having surged following the nations lockdown thigh vendors have implored government through the department of social welfare to set up a fund to cushion them.
Tariro Mudare a Chitungwiza sex worker said they have been in a quandary because their businesses have come to a standstill.
“We are in a difficult situation as sex workers. This lockdown has locked us for real. Clients are no longer comming.”
She also said as sex workers have resolved to engage government through their newly formed association “Sex Workers Forum.”
“We are calling on government through the department of social welfare to set up a sex workers funds, for sex workers. We have since formed a grouping called Sex Workers Forum, so that we speak with one voice.”
Speaking to Bustop TV, other thigh vendors recounted similar predicaments.
“We are in difficult situation my brother, lockdown ma1. l have two kids who need to be fed apa hakuna ma clients. I’m a vendor besides sex working but police has been harassing us as well,” said one, Mellisa from Hopely.
Another sex worker who only identified herself as Mai Munya said, “the lockdown period has been bad for us business rakamira, ma clients acho akabatwa mudzimba. Even at our hotspots police are harassing us,” she said smoking a cigarette.
Chipo who was in Tariro’s company said she had evaded all the roadblocks from Epworth were she resides to Tariro’s place in Zengeza .
“Ini ndogara Epworth, one of my clients a soldier smuggled me kuuya kuChitungwiza kuna Sisi Tari. Initiative ya Sisi Tari iribho toda kutaura nehurumende tipiwe food.”
Speaking over the phone, Suku who operates at Mhandamabwe Business Centre said government must emulate South Africa where their fellow sex workers are receiving cushioning allowances.
“Shutdown has been biting on our work as sex workers, things are tight. Clients are nologer comming hence zvakaoma. Sezvikungoitwa ku South Africa we need wo to be looked after in this difficult times” she said Suku.
Recently in South African commercial Sex workers petitioned President Cyril Ramaphosa to add them to the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme because they have also been hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to News24 South Africa National Movement of Sex Workers, Sisonke, said they can’t fend for themselves because they’re currently out of business that further pushes them to the margins and exposes them to risky sexual behaviours, hence it’s noble to look into their welfare.
