France Coaxes Foreign Streetwalkers to Move On With Residence Permits

The measure is part of a controversial law on prostitution which was adopted by French parliament earlier this week which imposes fines of up to 3,750 euros (4,270 dollars) on prostitutes' clients.

As far as residence permits are concerned, the move is a move to reduce the number of foreign prostitutes in France, which currently account for up to 80 percent of the total number of sex workers in the country. Most of the sex workers come to France from Eastern Europe or Africa.

Strass, the main sex workers union in France, has already denounced the measure as "blackmail". The union's censure was echoed by others, who said the law may encourage foreigners to become prostitutes solely in order to obtain a residence permit.

"Residence permit for foreign prostitutes or how to encourage being on the sidewalk for family reunification," Sylvie Goddyn, a member of Marine Le Pen's National Front, wrote on her Twitter page.

Under the new law, clients caught paying prostitutes for sex will be fined 1,500 euros, which will rise to 3,750 euros for repeat offenders. The law has been on the table since December 2013, when it was first submitted to the French parliament.

Notably, during the final debate on the bill, about 60 sex workers staged a protest rally outside a parliament building, news reports said, adding that the law is expected to affect the livelihoods of at least 30,000 prostitutes in France.