Sex work in Uruguay: Broad Front pushes for changes to the law
Uruguay 's sex work law , with a rights-based approach and stricter penalties for sex workers.
The Uruguayan government believes that the law passed in 2002 on sex work marked a turning point in the region. It recognized the activity, regulated basic aspects, and provided a certain legal framework. However, more than two decades after its implementation, legislators from the Broad Front believe that current conditions require a thorough review.
Law reform with a labor perspective
The new proposal aims to eliminate an approach they describe as "punitive and hygienic," as regulation has so far been the responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Public Health. Instead, the Broad Front seeks a regulation based on the recognition of sex work as a legitimate labor activity, with clear rights and obligations.
Labor rights at the center
The bill denounces the abuse that sex workers currently face: fines when they refuse to serve clients, pressure to consume alcohol or drugs , excessive deductions from their pay, and even forced reinstatement just days after giving birth. These practices, the bill warns, would not be tolerated in any other employment relationship.
Tougher local fines
The initiative establishes tougher penalties for business owners who violate regulations. The current fines of between 5 and 100 adjustable unit fines (approximately USD 230 to 4,600) would be increased to a range of 10 to 200 UR (USD 460 to 9,200). Furthermore, the option of substituting community service for the penalty is eliminated, as it is considered inadequate for this type of violation.
Prohibited behaviors and control
The article also lists the practices expressly prohibited for owners: setting rigid schedules, imposing control over clients, forcing alcohol or drug use, retaining documents or belongings, and taking a percentage of service payments, which is classified as pimping. Charging for ancillary services such as room rentals is permitted, but with formal receipts and transparent pricing.
A debate in Parliament
Parliament will now analyze the proposal, which promises to generate broad social and political debate . The Broad Front insists that this represents a paradigm shift: moving from health and police oversight to a labor rights framework that seeks to protect people who choose sex work as a livelihood.
The debate over sex work in Uruguay is not new. The 2002 law was hailed at the time as a pioneering measure in Latin America because it formally recognized an activity that had historically been marginalized and criminalized. However, over time, criticism emerged from social organizations and academics who pointed out that the legal framework was insufficient to guarantee conditions of equality and safety.
The current discussion is part of a broader scenario: in countries in the region such as Argentina and Chile, there is still no clear regulation, which creates vulnerability for sex workers. Uruguay, on the other hand, seeks to maintain its regional benchmark by moving toward a model that focuses on labor rights and protection against abuse.
The Frente Amplio's bill also reflects long-standing demands from sex worker groups, who have for years denounced the lack of effective tools to confront coercive practices within some establishments. By including a catalog of prohibited behaviors, the initiative aims to close legal loopholes that have previously allowed exploitation and harassment.
For its proponents, updating the law is not only a matter of social justice, but also of public health and democratic coexistence. By recognizing sex work as an occupation with clear rules, the goal is to reduce stigma, provide greater security for those who practice it, and guarantee a transparent framework for establishments that operate within the law.
The parliamentary debate will surely be characterized by diverse positions: from those calling for greater protection to those who believe that regulation could legitimize a controversial phenomenon. The truth is that the bill promises to spark an intense debate in Uruguayan society, where legal, political, health, and human rights perspectives intersect.
