'If you don't take a job as a street walker, we can stop your benefits'

In Germany

[walkman]

technically the state is right because it's a a legal job but come on...

"She received a letter from the job centre telling her that an employer was interested in her "profile'' and that she should ring them. Only on doing so did the woman, who has not been identified for legal reasons, realise that she was calling a brothel.

Under Germany's welfare reforms, any woman under 55 who has been out of work for more than a year can be forced to take an available job – including in the sex industry – or lose her unemployment benefit. Last month German unemployment rose for the 11th consecutive month to 4.5 million, taking the number out of work to its highest since reunification in 1990."
[telegraph.co.uk...]

[vkaryl]

Hmmm. While I wouldn't diss a woman for being a part of the oldest profession, I sort of draw the line at a government promulgating same....

[AAnnAArchy]

And really, not every woman would be good at the job. You know, especially if you weren't interested in the skills required. For instance, I've worked in a call center, so in Germany I would qualify for an, uh, adult call center. I couldn't do it seriously -- I'd burst into laughter if someone wanted me to talk dirty. Can you imagine, while sitting in a cubicle, reading the German version of Dilbert.

[Essex_boy]

She should bring this as a case in teh court of human rights, really is beyond the pall.

[mivox]

Interesting. You'd have to create a whole separate legal category of jobs people are allowed to refuse on moral grounds... I mean, in some cases in the US, people can be forced to take jobs or lose their benefits, but that isn't one of the legal options in most places... I suppose the issue could come up in Nevada.

But back to Germany... Are people who keep kosher or halal allowed to refuse jobs where they might have to handle 'prohibited' foodstuffs? Or does the kosher Jew have to take the job making cheeseburgers at McDonalds? Could a recovering alcoholic refuse a job where they'd be forced to come in contact with alcohol? If so, surely the woman could find grounds to refuse the job.

[ronin]

I agree with Essex.
Honestly, I'd rather starve than rent my ass out.

[EBear]

Could she refuse on the grounds that they are not an equal-opportunities employer? ;)

[Chndru]

>>oldest profession

Whaaat?

[Milamber]

Never heard that before?

[Essex_boy]

I'd rather starve than rent my ass out- Didnt know you kept donkeys :)

[vincevincevince]

Oldest profession

It cannot be a profession as it is not governed by a professional body which would typically include a code of ethics and self regulation.

The woman could easily make a serious claim on any number of grounds.

[vkaryl]

vince: Believe me friend, it IS the oldest profession. There have been prostitutes in every so-called "civilized" age of this world. There are many professions which do not have the points you postulate....

mivox: Yes, as of 10 years ago (last time I knew anything concrete about it) there were in Nevada 4 places where this could come up: Storey, Lincoln, Elko, and Nye Counties. Layne says he thinks maybe Lander County as well but we're not sure about that one any more. However. County situations in re employment and the payment of unemployment benefits in Nevada generally have to go by State CFRs, and since prostitution isn't legal statewide, that would obviate the situation in the counties.

[As an aside, I'm probably the only eligibility cert spec in the whole history of the State Welfare System in Nevada who ever asked for (and GOT) statements from prostitutes and their johns regarding reportable income. Of course, it never got used in the equations to pay benefits due to the way the statutes were written, but I thought it only fair....]

[Essex_boy]

Vkaryl: bet that was a giggle. Err and how much do you charge madam....

[Macro]

>> She should bring this as a case in teh court of human rights

I'll fight the temptation to make any gags about briefs or filing petitions but seeing how the law seems to work they'll probably be advised to take up the employment and claim sexual harrasment the moment they are asked to do what they are being paid for.

[Syzygy]

This is an old story retold. The Telegraph should know better.

I knew I'd read a similar tale many months ago - on ananova - and have managed to refind it. It can be found here [ananova.com]

Google's cache gives the date of April 2004.

Syzygy