Thought about prostitution?

Dutch government labour exchanges are hiring prostitutes to work in the sex industry.

The move comes in the wake of a new law giving prostitutes the same labour and social rights as other workers.

The first recruitment ad is for a £1,000-a-month vacancy at a brothel in Kerkrade, near Germany. A Dutch job centre has posted this advert on its website: "Wanted: a female worker for a sex club/brothel willing to perform sexual acts."

Previous experience is not required, it says, and applicants can be given job training. They are promised a bonus payment for "special services" - which are not spelled out. Paid holidays, sick pay and generous overtime are all part of the package on offer.

The only qualification required is a school leaving certificate - the Dutch equivalent of GCSEs. Applicants are told they have the right to refuse to "serve" customers they dislike.

Rob Reynders, of the job centrein Heerlen which has posted the advert, said: "Prostitution is now a career like any other so we're just doing our job.

"Of course it's a bit delicate. I mean, we can't ask women who walk in here looking for work if they'd like to be a whore."

He added: "But there's no shortage of applicants. So far we've had four inquiries."