Pandemic brings panic, solidarity to Polish sex industry

The coronavirus pandemic has closed down Poland's strip clubs and massage parlours, leaving many sex workers struggling to make ends meet but also inspiring solidarity via an online fundraising campaign.

Similar ventures have also appeared elsewhere in the West, notably launched by the Strass union in France and Canadian organisations Maggie in Toronto and PACE in Vancouver. 

"Over a couple of weeks, we've raised more than 16,000 zloty (€3,500). It's incredible," one of the organisers of the Polish fundraiser, a purple-haired 22-year-old who goes by her sex worker name of Medroxy, told AFP. 

The crisis initiative started as donation-only but a group of men and women in the industry - a legal grey zone in Poland - have since signed on to offer photos, videos or even encounters in return for contributions. 

Those interested can transfer cash to the group bank account and collect the product or service of their choice. 

"We've received 221 donations, with some people contributing multiple times," said Martyna, who like Medroxy is a member of the Sex Work Polska (SWP) coalition, which defends the rights of industry workers.

"That's made it possible for us to help out around 60...