Sex Trade Workers?

I have been reading a fair bit about "sex trade workers" recently in the main stream media. I know that a number of them have been murdered in Britain of late and that is a sad thing. I hope they catch the perpetrator sooner rather than later. Dead women, no matter their lifestyle choice is not a good thing.

In today's paper there is a story about a young "worker" who is putting together "love baskets" for these girls on the streets for Christmas. These will include things like condoms, chocolate body paint and candy canes. She will walk the streets for the next two weeks handing out goodies.

My questions is this, when did it become okay to call them "sex trade workers" instead of what they really are? What are the qualifications for this job and is there an apprenticeship program if one wants to become one? How long does the apprenticeship last and who decides whether or not you have passed?

Is there a union for these workers to join? I don't get it. Are we legitimizing this "profession". Isn't this a lifestyle choice rather than a real job? I am not necessarily opposed to prostitution, just let's not call it what it isn't. It isn't a legitimate job. Just my opinion.