In Germany, where prostitution is legal, women who have lost their jobs must be willing to accept jobs as prostitutes or lose their unemployment benefits. Brothel owners have access to official data bases of those who have registered for unemployment benefits. The welfare laws of Germany require women under 55 who have been out of work for more than one year to take an available job, including those in the sex industry, or they will lose their benefits. The German government had considered making brothels an exception but ruled this out. (34)

34. Ibid.