Belgium has made a groundbreaking move by granting labor rights and protections to sex workers, including access to pensions, unemployment benefits, health insurance, family benefits, annual vacation time, and maternity leave. This new law sets a global benchmark for the treatment of sex workers and provides them with fundamental rights such as the ability to refuse clients, set conditions of an act, and stop an act at any moment. Sex workers who sign formal employment contracts will have access to sick days, maternity pay, and pension.
Background on Sex Work Laws in Belgium
Prior to the new law, offering or paying for sexual services was not illegal in Belgium. However, laws targeted brothels and third parties supporting sex work, often accusing them of “pimping.” In 2022, Belgian lawmakers voted to decriminalize sex work and narrow the definition of pimping to ensure that sex workers do not face difficulties finding essential services such as banking or insurance.
New Law Grants Labor Rights and Protections
The new law goes beyond decriminalization by granting sex workers labor rights and protections on par with those in other professions. This includes:
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Access to pensions
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Unemployment benefits
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Health insurance
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Family benefits
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Annual vacation time
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Maternity leave
Employers are now required to obtain authorization and meet background requirements, such as having no prior convictions for sexual assault, human trafficking, or fraud. They must also ensure their premises are clean, sanitary, and equipped with a panic button.
Key Provisions of the Law
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Sex workers can sign formal employment contracts, granting them access to sick days, maternity pay, and pension.
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The new law guarantees fundamental rights for sex workers, including the ability to refuse clients, set conditions of an act, and stop an act at any moment.
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Employers are prohibited from dismissing employees who refuse a client or specific act.
International Comparison
Belgium is the first country in the world to offer such comprehensive labor protections to sex workers. In contrast, prostitution has only been decriminalized in a handful of places around the world, including New Zealand, the Netherlands, and some parts of Australia. In the United States, Nevada is the only state where brothels are allowed, but prostitution outside of brothels remains illegal.
Reaction from Sex Workers
The new law has been welcomed by sex workers’ unions, who have been leading the effort for years. Mel Meliciousss, a Belgian union of sex workers member, said: “I am a very proud Belgium sex worker right now… People who are already working in the industry will be much more protected, and also people who are going to work in the industry also know what their rights are.”
- Pensions
Sex Workers Can Refuse Clients and Set Conditions of Acts
Impact on Sex Workers
According to Mel Meliciousss, a Belgian union of sex workers (UTSOPI), people who are already working in the industry will be much more protected, and those who are going to work in the industry also know what their rights are. The law is seen as a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers by allowing a full-fledged contract.
Comparison with Other Countries
Limitations of the Law
The law does not cover sex workers who are self-employed or those who perform pornography or striptease. These protections are only granted to sex workers who sign an employment contract.
