In a groundbreaking move, Belgium has become the first country in the world to grant sex workers the same employment rights as other workers, including maternity leave and pensions. This landmark legislation, which came into effect on December 1, 2024, marks a significant step forward in the fight for sex workers’ rights and recognition.
Belgium decriminalized sex work in 2022, and while countries such as Germany and the Netherlands have legalized sex work, none have implemented labor protections as comprehensive as those in Belgium. Under the new law, sex workers are now classified as employees, entitling them to benefits such as maternity leave, pension contributions, health insurance, and sick leave. This move follows Belgium’s decision to decriminalize sex work, a response to the lack of state support for sex workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new legislation allows sex workers to sign official employment contracts and enjoy fundamental rights, such as the ability to refuse clients, choose their practices, and stop an act at any moment. Employers are required to meet strict standards, including having a business address in Belgium, maintaining a good character, and ensuring that premises are equipped with panic buttons, clean linen, showers, and condoms.
The Belgian Union of Sex Workers has hailed the law as a major step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers. Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of Espace P, an advocacy group involved in drafting the legislation, called it a revolution for both sex workers and their employers.
While the law has been widely praised, some critics argue that it doesn’t fully address the stigma and risks associated with the profession, particularly for undocumented sex workers. Nevertheless, the legislation is viewed as a significant move toward greater legal recognition and workplace protections for sex workers, setting a precedent for other countries to follow.
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This post was published on December 1, 2024 9:08 PM
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