EXCLUSIVE

Larry Flynt's Hustler Club insists its strippers are independent women, but a former dancer is calling BS ... saying she was forced to work under house rules with ZERO benefits.

Hustler classifies its exotic dancers as independent contractors -- most strip clubs do -- but in a lawsuit against Hustler Club in San Francisco ... former stripper Angelynn Hermes says the club told her what to wear, how much to charge for private dances and forced her to work 3 days a week.

Her point -- where's all the independence??

Angelynn says she was only paid tips at Hustler, and she had to share that with the club and other employees -- all while receiving NO hourly wages. In the suit, Angelynn says the club is violating Cali labor law, and she wants the money she's owed and then some.

We reached out to the club. No word back on the lawsuit, but we found out they have $2 Tuesdays!