*Photo used for illustrative purpose*
Prostitutes in Zimbabwe are not smiling. The s*x workers have now
devised a new way of collecting money from clients who claim they have
run short of physical cash - online payments services.
“Hard to say it‚ but cash shortages are a big boost to s*x trade here in Harare‚” says Primrose‚ 24.
According to NehandaRadio, some workers in the formal sector sleep
outside ATMs in the hope of being able to withdraw cash in the morning.
But s*x workers have found their income tripling from the use of digital
payments.
Primrose says money transfers through the Ecocash system allow her to
charge clients US $8 for 30 minutes compared to $5 in cash.
Ecocash‚ owned by one of Zimbabwe’s richest men‚ Strive Masiyiwa‚ who
also owns Econet Wireless mobile phone network‚ is the country’s biggest
digital phone-to-phone money transfer platform. The platform handled
$6.6 billion in transfers in its latest financial year.
Cash shortages‚ and the condition of the dollar notes in circulation‚
have sparked a surge in e-payments in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe´s US dollar
notes are grubby and usually torn at the corners after changing hands
too many times.
“Most US dollars in Zimbabwe are filthy‚ worn out‚ crumpled. A $2
dollar note can rot and wear out in your hands if you expose it to
sunlight or soft rain. We don’t like such dirty notes. E-payments send
healthy money direct to our bank accounts‚” Primrose says.
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