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Amsterdam's new proposed mega-brothel has become the target of a very powerful enemy.
The city, famous for its prostitute-laden Red Light District, has been trying to shake off its reputation by moving the infamous sex area out of the centre.
And new plans to have it relocate to one giant five-storey complex outside of the main area have been proving controversial – but not for the reasons you might think.
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The proposed plan has now become the target of an EU organisation formerly based in London that would be neighbours with the big brothel.
The European Medicines Agency moved from London to Amsterdam in 2019, and bosses appear to be regretting that as they claimed to be “extremely concerned” with plans by Amsterdam's City Council to move the new mega-complex next door in the Amsterdam-Zuid district.
A spokesman said: “EMA is very concerned that this will create safety, security and nuisance issues.
“The change of the location of the red light district is motivated by concerns of nuisance, drug-dealing, drunkenness and disorderly behaviour.
“Locating the Erotic Centre in close proximity to EMA's building is likely to bring the same negative impacts to the adjacent area.
“(We will be taking this to the) highest appropriate political and diplomatic level to ensure a safe working environment.
“EMA's work is essential for the protection of public health in the EU, and this should not be jeopardised by fears of staff and EU experts coming to EMA's building.”
Despite the worrying comments, we reported earlier this year how the amount of sex workers in the city has actually dropped as many are choosing to work from home.
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Despite the area being regulated and “safe” for those who work there, a study from the Center for Crime Prevention and Security stated that a mix of financial opportunities and safety are seeing more women take clients from the comfort of their own couch… or bed.
According to Rodney Haan, an advisor on prostitution policy at the CVV, the chances of ending up in a “dangerous situation” while working in the area are proving difficult for some women to accept.
He said: “It is difficult to measure where there is danger. But being off the radar does not automatically mean they are victims.
“Many sex workers manage to protect themselves well. Working from home is becoming fashionable.”
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Around 15 years ago, the country had 700 legal brothels and sex clubs.
That number has now dropped significantly to just 300.
This has seen a huge drop in investment in the area, too.
Haan added: “There is no entrepreneur who wants to invest a lot of money with the chance of losing the business again after a few years.”
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This has also played a part in the workers choosing to work from home, and they are finding that they can charge more for doing so – and keep their earnings off the books.
Sex club owner Jan Siemons said: “The ladies no longer want the hassle of taxes.
“At home or in a hotel room, no one checks whether money is transferred.
“The ladies don't want the hassle of taxes any more.We can't compete with that.”
According to a 2020 report from the Dutch government, the Red Light District generates around £2.3 billion for the Dutch economy.
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