A city in Germany (map it) has introduced new "sex tax meters" that charge prostitutes a nightly fee (how much?) to walk the streets. Prostitutes who don't carry a ticket purchased from the meters face hefty fines.
The German city of Bonn has reportedly introduced ‘sex tax’ meters for street prostitutes in an attempt to tax the world's oldest profession.
Prostitutes working on the streets of the erstwhile West German capital would now have to buy a ticket from converted roadside vending machines before starting their working ‘day’ prostitution is legal in Bonn between 8.15 pm and 6 am.
A night's ticket will set a sex worker back 5.30 pounds, irrespective of the number of clients they have, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
Like parking metres, the vending machines, that once dispensed tickets to the city's drivers also tell users the times of day when a ticket is necessary: in this case between the hours of 8.15 pm and 6 am, on Monday to Sunday.
If a police officer catches a sex worker without ticket, they will be fined or banned from working, the newspaper said.
Monika Frombgen, a spokeswoman for Bonn city council, said the ticket machines would bring street prostitutes into fiscal line with their peers in registered sex establishments.
"This is an act of tax fairness. Prostitutes in fixed establishments such as brothels and sauna clubs already pay tax," she was quoted by the British newspaper as saying.
Some 200 prostitutes work in Bonn. This is the first time tax tickets have been sold on the streets in Germany.
Prostitutes in the German city of Bonn must carry a ticket purchased from a new parking meter-like machine while working the streets or face hefty fines from tax authorities in a scheme launched on Monday night.
In Germany, ladies of the night pay income tax -- the level of which varies from region to region -- but compliance is difficult to enforce with women seeking business on the street.
Germany's first "sex tax meters," from which prostitutes can purchase a ticket for 6 euros ($8.72) per night, will ensure the tax system is fairly implemented, a city spokeswoman said.
"Inspectors will monitor compliance -- not every evening but frequently," the spokeswoman told Reuters.
If caught without a valid ticket, offenders will first be reprimanded, then face fines and later even a ban.
About 200 prostitutes work in Bonn. Due to protests from residents, city officials have limited the areas of operation to specific quarters.
But critics say this has made it easier for prostitutes to ply their trade. The city has erected what officials call "consummation areas," wooden parking garages where customers driving cars can retreat to with prostitutes. ($1 = 0.688 Euros)
Prostitutes working on the streets of the erstwhile West German capital would now have to buy a ticket from converted roadside vending machines before starting their working ‘day’ prostitution is legal in Bonn between 8.15 pm and 6 am.
A night's ticket will set a sex worker back 5.30 pounds, irrespective of the number of clients they have, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
Like parking metres, the vending machines, that once dispensed tickets to the city's drivers also tell users the times of day when a ticket is necessary: in this case between the hours of 8.15 pm and 6 am, on Monday to Sunday.
If a police officer catches a sex worker without ticket, they will be fined or banned from working, the newspaper said.
Monika Frombgen, a spokeswoman for Bonn city council, said the ticket machines would bring street prostitutes into fiscal line with their peers in registered sex establishments.
"This is an act of tax fairness. Prostitutes in fixed establishments such as brothels and sauna clubs already pay tax," she was quoted by the British newspaper as saying.
Some 200 prostitutes work in Bonn. This is the first time tax tickets have been sold on the streets in Germany.
Prostitutes in the German city of Bonn must carry a ticket purchased from a new parking meter-like machine while working the streets or face hefty fines from tax authorities in a scheme launched on Monday night.
In Germany, ladies of the night pay income tax -- the level of which varies from region to region -- but compliance is difficult to enforce with women seeking business on the street.
Germany's first "sex tax meters," from which prostitutes can purchase a ticket for 6 euros ($8.72) per night, will ensure the tax system is fairly implemented, a city spokeswoman said.
"Inspectors will monitor compliance -- not every evening but frequently," the spokeswoman told Reuters.
If caught without a valid ticket, offenders will first be reprimanded, then face fines and later even a ban.
About 200 prostitutes work in Bonn. Due to protests from residents, city officials have limited the areas of operation to specific quarters.
But critics say this has made it easier for prostitutes to ply their trade. The city has erected what officials call "consummation areas," wooden parking garages where customers driving cars can retreat to with prostitutes. ($1 = 0.688 Euros)