They pay tax in Holland too and most are in a union, organised by ladies past their prime.
But still many get abused and exploited. It is beyond my understanding.
It rarely happens to purveyors of Shoes, Ice Cream, Booze, Dodgy CD's, Fake designer goods etc.
If the authorities regulate they have to administer and that costs them money, so a licence is necessary.
It seems infinitely better and significantly cheaper than a Pimps Preposterous Percentage and violence.
Visitors always want us to take them to Amsterdam's Red Light District.
They are always surprised... it is clean, organised, safe and generally jovial.
Cheers
Leo