Belgian sex workers will receive world-first labor rights as part of new regulations that focus on expanding workplace safety in the industry.
The reforms for sex workers, which began on Sunday, include unemployment benefits, maternity leave, and health insurance.
The new law, which came into effect on Sunday, also establishes fundamental rights for sex workers including the right to refuse clients, choose their practices, and stop an act at any moment.
“This is an incredible step forward,” said Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of Espace P, an advocacy group involved in drafting the legislation.
“It means their profession can finally be recognised as legitimate by the Belgian state.
“From the employer’s perspective, this will also be a revolution. They’ll have to apply for a state authorisation to hire sex workers.
“Under the previous legislation, hiring someone for sex work automatically made you a pimp, even if the arrangement was consensual.
“Now, they’ll have to apply for state authorisation to hire employees.”
Other Key Provisions:
- Worker Protections: Sex workers can now work as employees, enjoying the same rights as other professions.
- Employer Regulations: Employers must hold clean criminal records and ensure oversight through designated supervisors.
- Safety Standards: Enhanced protections include the right to decline certain services and installing emergency buttons in workspaces.
Sex Work Laws in Other European Countries
While Belgium leads with labor rights, other European nations approach sex work differently:
- Germany and the Netherlands: Regulated models where sex work is legal but heavily monitored.
- France: Criminalizes clients rather than sex workers under a “Nordic model.”
- Sweden: Focuses on reducing demand by targeting clients instead of workers.
This progressive shift in Belgium is a milestone in labor reform, potentially influencing other nations to rethink policies on sex work
