Sex workers to boycott vote

The workers demand basic rights and a self-governed board in all the red-light areas in the state.

Sex workers, demanding basic rights have decided to boycott the coming West Bengal Assembly elections.

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"We want to get ourselves enlisted as labourers in both state and national Labour departments, " Durbar Mahila Samannoy Committee (DMSC) assistant secretary Asha Banerjee said in a statement in Kolkata on Monday.

"In spite of having voting rights, we are not allowed to lead normal lives due to social stigma. We want our rights before casting our votes," Banerjee said.

A self-governed board should also be formed in all the red-light areas in the state, she demanded.

The organisation would take out processions and organise meetings on Tuesday to protest the alleged atrocities against them and to demand their rights, she said.