Sex workers in India's eastern city of Kolkata took out a candlelight
procession seeking freedom and legalisation of their profession on the eve of
May Day, which is observed world over as workers' day.

KOLKATA (APRIL30,2008) ANI-

Sex workers of India's eastern city of Kolkata took out a
candlelight procession on the eve of May Day, which is observed world over as
workers' day.

Chanting  slogans,  the  sex workers marched through the streets of the
metropolis with candles in their hands on Wednesday (April 30).

Every year they take out a huge candle light procession to raise their
demand for labour rights.

The march was organised by Durbar Mahila Samanway Committee, a
Calcutta-based organisation of sex workers.

Over the years, the committee has succeeded in bringing both male and
female sex workers together under one umbrella organisation.

The participants said that that they want rights for sex workers, not only
in Kolkata but in other parts of the country also.

"We want that we should get our rights, not only in this place, not
only in Kolkata, but also in other parts of the country. We should get our
freedom. Therefore we are taking out this rally not only for those in Kolkata,
but for all those across the country. this is 'adhikar' (rights) day,"
said Bharati Dey, President, Durbar Mahila Samannay Committee.

Although prostitution is still illegal in India, it is a thriving
underground industry.

Voluntary groups estimate that there are about 2 million female sex
workers, most of them trafficked or forced into this profession by
poverty.

Over the last month the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has given
around 250 sex workers in the city life insurance policies. Prostitutes say it
is a breakthrough in their efforts to get legal recognition for their
work.

Without many official documents, prostitutes are rarely able to open
accounts in banks or join the financial mainstream.

Activists say legalization could help bring prostitutes into the mainstream
and help them fight poverty and discrimination.

The policies, which are spreading to sex workers outside Kolkata, are not
the only advance for women in the industry. In Mumbai, a bank run by sex
workers was set up to help prostitutes escape poverty that keeps them indebted
to brothel owners.