In a groundbreaking move, Belgium is set to offer sex workers full labor rights, aligning their legal status with other professions, effective this Sunday.
Belgium has taken a significant step in recognizing sex work as a legitimate profession. As of Sunday, sex workers will be able to secure formal employment contracts, obtain health insurance, and enjoy benefits such as paid leave and pensions. This move follows Belgium’s 2022 decision to decriminalize sex work, signaling a progressive shift in the legal landscape.
The newly approved legislation provides sex workers with fundamental rights, including the ability to refuse clients, choose their practices, and halt activities at any time. Moreover, the law defines working hours, pay structures, and safety measures actively addressing gaps in legal protection that have long affected those within the sex industry.
Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of Espace P, an advocacy group that played a role in drafting the new legislation, hailed the changes as transformative. ‘This is an incredible step forward. It means their profession can finally be recognized as legitimate by the Belgian state,’ Jaramillo stated. She also noted that employers within the sector would experience similar revolutionary changes, as they are now required to apply for state authorization to hire sex workers.
Under prior laws, employing a sex worker could lead to charges of pimping, even in consensual arrangements. However, with the new regulations, employers must obtain authorization, adhere to strict safety protocols, and meet background standards, which include no prior convictions for sexual offenses or human trafficking. Additionally, they are mandated to provide clean linens, condoms, hygiene products, and install emergency buttons in work environments to ensure safety.
While independent sex work remains legal, unregulated third-party hiring or any breaches of the legal framework will be prosecuted. Critics, however, argue that while this law addresses several concerns, it does not completely eliminate the stigma and risks that continue to plague the profession, especially for undocumented workers.
Jaramillo highlighted the necessity for improved training for police and judicial bodies to protect marginalized workers further. While countries like Germany and the Netherlands have legalized sex work, they have not established labor protections as extensive as those Belgium now offers.
Belgium’s new legislative measures mark a forward-thinking approach to sex work, offering unprecedented protections and benefits. However, the journey towards full acceptance and safety for all involved, especially undocumented workers, remains ongoing.
Source: Apnews
