Men who visit prostitutes who have been forced to work in the sex industry should be jailed for up to four years or face heavy fines,  the Labour Party, Socialists and ChristenUnie say in draft legislation presented on Friday.

The three parties hope the threat of jail will encourage clients to report cases of abuse to the authorities.

While it might not always be obvious if a prostitute has been forced into the job, an ‘extremely low price or an odd location such as a garage’ are signs not all is well, Labour MP Marith Rebel is quoted as saying by Nos television.

Currently only pimps and human traffickers face jail in connection with forced prostitution.

Rebel says there is sufficient support for the measure to see it become law. The draft legislation will now be sent to the Council of State for its recommendations.