Amsterdam fights forced sex trade

Amsterdam's deputy mayor today proposed laws to restrict brothel opening hours and raise the minimum age for prostitutes from 18 to 23 to fight the forced sex trade.

Lodewijk Asscher said prostitution should be banned between 4am and 8am. "Only the biggest creeps and boozers are walking around at those hours," he said on Dutch radio. "Women really dread working then and sometimes the most vulnerable are used."

Amsterdam's union for prostitutes said it was against Mr Asscher's proposal because the early morning hours are among the most lucrative for many women.

"This is not a good idea, this is the time when the prostitutes can make the most money," said Metje Blaak, a spokeswoman for the Rode Draad group. She also said raising the minimum legal age would force more women into underground, illegal brothels.

The Netherlands legalised prostitution in 2000 but authorities have toughened their stance to fight organised crime and clean up inner city areas. In 2008, Amsterdam announced plans to halve the number of brothels in its red light district.