Employment Minister Chris Grayling has said that adverts for sex industry jobs in job centres will no longer be accepted, in an attempt to protect those who are desperate to find work from feeling pressured into taking jobs that they are not comfortable with. Government figures show that in 2008, job centres advertised more than 350 posts in the adult industry, including 44 vacancies for lap dancers, 30 for adult chat line operators, 8 for masseuses and 8 for a topless TV channel.
Mr Grayling said: “It’s absolutely wrong that the government advertises jobs that could support the exploitation of people. We’ve taken immediate action today to stop certain adult entertainment vacancies from being advertised through Jobcentre Plus. We shouldn't put vulnerable people in an environment where they’re exposed to these types of jobs and could feel under pressure to work in the sex industry.”
The ban covers posts involving the “direct sexual stimulation” of others. It will be introduced on a temporary basis before permanent restrictions can be brought into force. A recent consultation found that the public was overwhelmingly opposed to these types of vacancies being displayed in government-run jobcentres.
Andrea Minichiello Williams commented: “We very much welcome this announcement as it will help to prevent individuals who are under financial pressure from being exploited. We believe that this ban comes partly as a result of Christians resisting lap dancing licences across the country, and it is vital for us all to keep campaigning against these licenses.”
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