Commercial sex workers form cooperative bank, on an expansion mode Sex workers in Asian countries
face the social stigma all along. Whether putting a child in the school, opening a bank account, asking for a loan or for that matter any other thing, people in this oldest profession comes across stiff resistance with a different attitude. Their lives are separated from the main stream, even though people from mainstream patronize them for their own satisfaction, and intend to leave the secret visit to the red light areas for fear of social rejection.
The profession is uncertain from any point of view. Therefore, they need to think for the future like all other people, hence the requirement of savings in the bank. The difficulties arise at the time of opening of a bank account often force them accept refusal from the bank authorities. They have overcome this problem with the active initiative of a NGO Durbar Mahila Samannay Committee (DMSC) established by the former sex workers of two famous red light districts namely Sonagachi and Boubazar. The enterprising plan that started in 1995 finally has foot on the ground and the first Usha Multipurpose Co-operative Bank at Sonagachhi, Kolkata was established. The success story of the bank is beyond expectation and DMSC sought permission from the appropriate authority to open more branches in various cities and towns in West Bengal.
The bank in Kolkata has customers only from red light areas, so will be the norm in other branches. With 12000 members, the bank is progressing steadily, informed DMSC office bearers.
The second branch of the bank opened on last Sunday in Siliguri, the northern West Bengal town of business importance. The municipal Affairs Minister Ashok Bhattacharjee of West Bengal government inaugurated this branch at Khalpar red light area of Siliguri.
The development is indeed a significant one for the workers of red light areas as they now would be able get financial assistance from this bank as and when necessary without facing the dilemma of the main stream.
The other branches that are planned to come up soon are Asansol, Durgapur, Cooch-Behar, and Contai. This bank is the first of its kind all over the world, claimed DMSC in its interaction with the media.