A group of 15 prostitutes in Utrecht have set up a cooperative to run floating brothels after the council withdrew operating permits from their previous landlords.

The cooperative, named Macha’s, is now applying for a city council brothel licence and a boat mooring permit, Nos television said.

Some 300 Utrecht prostitutes lost their place of work when the council cancelled contracts for the operation of brothels on the city’s Zandpad and Hardebollenstraat because of human trafficking fears.

The women had urged the council to take over the contracts, saying prostitutes would be forced into the illegal sector. The council refused, but did agree to help the women set up a cooperative to take over the running of the boats themselves, Nos said.

Earlier stories
Prostitutes call on council to take over boat brothels
Utrecht gets green light on prostitute registration