Sex workers say no to proposed Back Road makeover

Sex workers along Portmore's infamous 'Back Road' have expressed concerns about St Catherine South East Member of Parliament Robert Miller's ambitious plans to transform the area into Jamaica's longest hip strip.

The proposed makeover, complete with hotels, restaurants, and bright lights, has some of the area's most wanted figures worried that their days of making quick cash may be coming to an end.

"Dem lights deh nah go work fi we!" exclaimed Sassy, a well-known sex worker who's been plying her trade along the famous strip for years. Partially nude and unbothered, another worker, who goes by the nickname Milk, was certain the changes would impact business negatively.

"It's illegal, and that's why we will have to find ways fi move around. Maybe we have to reconsider how we do things -- nuh be as loud, cover up more -- but yuh nah go get that from everybody," Milk said

Milk, who has been in the business for more than 20 years, revealed that she's also a trained nurse with a diploma, but admitted that the fast money keeps her coming back to Back Road.

"Mi graduate in 2022, mi can work as a geriatric nurse, psychiatric nurse, even in a pharmacy. But a lot of us do this for the faster money. If this plan comes true, gyal just haffi look work or try fi go around it," she said, proudly flashing her diploma.

With a son who's a doctor abroad, a daughter who finished university, and another still in high school, Milk stressed that many of the women rely on this work.

"It's what we live off. Not like we can just up and go somewhere else. As long as police nah harass we, we will work with them to develop the place," she said. Another sex worker questioned what would happen to her and her peers and how they would make money.

"This is the oldest profession inna the book, yuh know, and it better than a nine-to-five right now! Mi please all dem (influential people) too , so why dem want to kick us out?"

She continued, "Dem lights nah good fi business. Dem men nuh want to be seen. Privacy a key. Right now, business slow sometimes, but it never stop." One man who said he is a popular customer to the ladies of the night, is bracing for the worst.

"A shop dem a lock! Right now, the girl dem hustle day and night. If dem put up fancy hotel and restaurant, how dem fi stand up in front of that?" he asked. "Dem a move the shop too far! Where mi a go buy when dem gone?"

But Odel McKenzie, owner of Chilluxe Restaurant and Lounge, is optimistic about the transformation.

"The revitalisation will increase foot traffic, which means more customers for us," said McKenzie, who opened Chilluxe in 2022. "It will enhance the area's look, bring safety, and encourage people to spend more time here."

- T.P.