Belgium has made history by officially recognizing sex work as a legitimate profession, providing workers with the same employment rights as those in other sectors. This landmark legislation is the first of its kind globally, offering sex workers formal employment contracts, health insurance, paid leave, and pensions.
The move follows the decriminalization of sex work in Belgium in 2022, a decision that aligns the country with others where sex work is legal, including Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Turkey. However, this new law goes a step further, ensuring sex workers receive essential labor protections that have never been established before.
Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, praised the law as a "radical" and positive step, calling for other countries to follow suit. “We need every country to be moving in that direction,” Kilbride said.
Under the new law, sex workers are now able to sign formal contracts, choose their own working conditions, and have the freedom to refuse clients. It also guarantees safer working environments by setting regulations around pay, working hours, and physical security measures.
"This is an incredible step forward," said Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of Espace P, a key organization involved in drafting the new law. "It means their profession can finally be recognized as legitimate by the Belgian state."
Employers hiring sex workers will now need to obtain official authorization and follow strict guidelines for safety, such as providing clean linens, condoms, hygiene products, and installing emergency buttons in workplaces. Additionally, employers must pass background checks to ensure there is no history of sexual assault or human trafficking.
While independent sex workers can still operate, violations like unregulated hiring or breaking the legal framework will lead to prosecution. Some critics, however, argue that the law does not fully address the stigma or risks, especially for undocumented workers.
Belgium's approach stands out as a unique model, offering comprehensive labor protections for sex workers, a first in Europe.
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