Meretransport

Meretransport is a neologism used to describe the organized movement of sex workers between locations for work. The term combines meretrix, the Latin word for prostitute, with transport, highlighting mobility as a structural feature in some sex work economies. It is not a standard category in most academic taxonomies but appears in discussions of migration, informal labor networks, and human trafficking where the mobility of workers is a central concern.

Scope and mechanisms

Meretransport can encompass recruitment, transportation, lodging, and scheduling that enable workers to take assignments across cities, regions, or borders. Routes and hubs often reflect urban nightlife districts, port cities, border areas, or tourist destinations. In regulated environments, mobility may be shaped by licensing, health policies, and migration rules; in informal or illicit contexts, travelers may face unsafe travel conditions, coercion, or lack of access to protection and services.

Legal and ethical considerations

Discussions of meretransport intersect with debates on trafficking, voluntariness, consent, and workers’ rights. Distinctions between voluntary mobility for work and coercive trafficking are central to policy responses. Legal frameworks vary widely, with approaches ranging from criminalization to decriminalization and labor regulation, each with implications for safety, reporting, and access to health and social services.

Policy and research

Because meretransport is not a widely standardized term, data and analysis often rely on broader concepts such as sex-work mobility, migration, and human-trafficking studies. Research emphasizes safeguarding health, preventing exploitation, and providing legal avenues and support services for workers who choose to relocate for work.