Uruguayan council proposes designated zones for public sex work in Maldonado

Local council members in Maldonado, Uruguay, have put forward a proposal to establish designated zones for public sex work. The initiative, presented by members of the National Party, seeks to regulate the activity by having the municipal government define specific areas and hours for its practice.

The proposal references articles from a 2002 law that allows departmental governments to delineate geographical areas and operating times for sex work, in coordination with health and police authorities. The law also mandates avoiding proximity to educational institutions and considering the sensitivities of nearby residents. The council members argue that the El Placer area, once a seasonal resort and now a growing year-round neighborhood, has seen an increase in public sex work, impacting families and leading to related criminal incidents like attempted theft.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Maldonado Police, the proposal notes a lack of clear criteria for enforcement. The council members emphasize that their aim is not to criminalize sex work, which is legal, but to provide a legal framework for its regulation in public spaces. They seek to equip the Intendency, police, and residents with the necessary legal tools to address the current situation, particularly in areas like El Placer, which the proposal explicitly states would not be among the designated zones.