Press article
Triodos refuses PROUD bank account
26-03-2015
Triodos is refusing to open up a bank account for the union for sex workers (PROUD). Spokesperson Lyle Muns: ?We were very surprised that a bank we picked because of their social involvement slams the door in such a way in our face. It just shows how deep the prejudices are rooted in our society towards sex workers.? Recently PROUD was part of a meeting with the banks at the house of the mayor of Amsterdam, Van der Laan. There the discrimination of erotic services in the financial industry and insurance companies was on the agenda.
In a rejection letter the bank notifies ?not to provide services to business relations who are active in pornography?. PROUD is a non-commercial union which stands up for the rights and the image of sex workers. ?We are not some kind of shady porn company. We want to fight for the interests of sex workers. Triodos was the last bank we expected this from. The ideal character of the bank apparently stops at one of the most marginalized groups in our society?, Muns continues.
PROUD points out that access to the financial and insurance industry are for many sex workers problematic. Sex workers are thereby being forced to work in a grey to black part of the financial industry. This is subsequently a reason for banks to exclude this industry. ?Mortgages, disability insurances, but even something as simple as a bank account are big problems for sex workers. Sex work is a legal profession in The Netherlands, so also stop with this discrimination?, concludes Muns.
PROUD will file a complaint against Triodos and will look for another bank.
