1 September 2025
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) welcomes the hearings in the Western Cape High Court on the decriminalisation of sex work. FEDUSA believes that the current criminalisation of sex work has failed and continues to expose sex workers to harassment, violence and exploitation.
Sex workers are among the most vulnerable groups in the world of work. They are denied access to labour rights, health care and social protection because their work is treated as a crime. FEDUSA maintains that sex work is work and that sex workers deserve the same rights, dignity and protection as all other workers.
FEDUSA’s position is clear:
• The selling and buying of sex must both be decriminalised.
• All criminal records related to sex work offences must be expunged.
• Decriminalisation must be followed by further processes to ensure real protections, including the review of municipal bylaws that continue to criminalise sex workers.
FEDUSA further supports the commitments in the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which identifies the finalisation of decriminalisation as a necessary intervention in addressing South Africa’s GBVF crisis.
The Federation’s support also flows from its Gender Conference held last week under the theme “Strengthening Gender Policy through a Feminist Lens: Addressing Sexual Offences and Gender Justice in the World of Work.” Delegates resolved that no worker can be left behind and that inclusive policies are required to advance gender justice and equality.
FEDUSA therefore calls on the courts and government to ensure that the rights of sex workers are recognised and protected. Workers’ rights cannot wait. Sex workers’ rights cannot wait!
END.