Strippers are among those fighting for better rights

It is concerned that many sex laws discriminate against workers such as prostitutes, porn stars and table dancers.

A motion being debated at the union's annual conference in Blackpool later this week is expected to win the support of the leadership.

The union's London branch official, Ana Lopes, is employed as a chat line worker and argues that sex workers need to fight exploitation, violence and injustice.

Pornographic videos

The motion before the GMB conference calls for a review of existing laws.

We're trying to remove the stigma against sex work and sex workers Ana Lopes

It also demands full employment rights, a campaign to de-stigmatise the industry and the opening of a national debate on how social policy and legislation should be applied.

In London alone there are around 10,000 people who earn their main income from acting in pornographic videos, or selling sexual services.

Ms Lopes even hopes to take her campaign to the Labour Party conference.

Stigma

Last year a sex workers division of the GMB was set up - giving them mainstream union recognition for the first time.

Ms Lopes said the move would strengthen the fight to improve the rights of those involved in the industry.

She said: "We're trying to remove the stigma against sex work and sex workers.

"We think that changing the law - decriminalising sex work - is one of the steps towards it and it's a very important one."

Ms Lopes said Britain's laws on prostitution are not clear cut. Selling sex is legal but soliciting for trade is not.