Belgium Becomes First Country To Grant Full Labour Rights To S£x Workers
S£x workers in Belgium can now enjoy employment contracts that grant access to health insurance, pensions, paid sick leave, and maternity benefits, following groundbreaking legislation that provides comprehensive labour rights to individuals in the industry.
This move comes after Belgium’s 2022 decision to decriminalize s£x work, making it the first country globally to extend such legal protections. The new law regulates working hours, pay, and safety protocols, addressing long-standing vulnerabilities faced by s£x workers.
“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 recognized as legitimate by the Belgian state.”
For employers, the law introduces significant changes. “From the employer’s perspective, this will also be a revolution. They’ll have to apply for a state authorization to hire s£x workers,” Jaramillo explained. Under prior laws, hiring someone for s£x work was automatically classified as pimping, even with consent.
Employers must now meet strict conditions, including obtaining state authorization, ensuring no prior convictions for s£xual assault or human trafficking, and adhering to safety standards. Requirements include providing clean linens, condoms, hygiene products, and emergency buttons in workplaces.
While independent s£x work remains legal, third-party hiring outside the legal framework will face prosecution.
Despite the progress, critics argue that the law falls short of addressing stigma and protecting undocumented s£x workers. “There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Jaramillo emphasized, calling for enhanced police and judicial training to safeguard marginalized individuals.
Though nations like Germany and the Netherlands have legalized s£x work, Belgium’s legislation is the first to establish robust labour protections for the industry.
