Italy's minister says prostitution should be considered as legal profession

Rome, Sep 12 (IANS/AKI) Recognising prostitution as a legal profession will be "an act of civility", Italy's far-right Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini said on Wednesday.

"We've gathered thousands of signatures for a referendum," Salvini told Italian state broadcaster Rai's 'I Lunatici' programme.

"I believe that to legally recognize what is a profession, removing it from the grip of the mafia and the realm of exploitation, would be an act of civility," he said.

Society is mistaken to judge prostitutes for their occupation, Salvini said. "If someone freely chooses to be a sex worker, who am I to judge?"