Non-discrimination; family leave; safety; health. Besides these typical government regulations, massage parlors in an Indonesian province faced a new type of rule for workers.

When it comes to government regulation, most companies welcome measures that are practical.

But practical alone doesn’t always cut it. Consider a request by a local government in Indonesia’s East Java province regarding masseuses.

The massage-providers were asked to wear padlocks on their pants to curb illegal prostitution.

Massage parlors are often fronts for prostitution in popular tourist destinations in Indonesia.

A local newspaper quotes the State Minister for Women’s Empowerment, Meuthia Hatta, as saying the suggestion was misguided.

“It’s not the right way to prevent promiscuity,” Hatta said.

It is if you’re in the business of making padlocks.

Tags: government, illegal prostitution, workplace regulations