Belgium has taken a groundbreaking step in labor rights by becoming the first country in the world to allow sex workers to have formal job contracts.
This landmark move ensures that individuals in the sex work industry are entitled to essential social protections such as health insurance, pensions, sick leave, and maternity leave.
The development follows Belgium's 2022 decision to decriminalize sex work, signaling a shift towards recognizing sex work as legitimate labor.
By formalizing job contracts, the country aims to provide sex workers with the same rights and protections as workers in other industries, enhancing their social and economic security.
Under the new regulations, s£x workers will have access to health insurance, paid leave, maternity benefits, unemployment support and pensions. The legislation also establishes rules on working hours, pay and safety measures, addressing a long-standing gap in legal protections for those in the industry.
“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.”
“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 said.
“Under the previous legislation, hiring someone for s£x work automatically made you a pimp, even if the arrangement was consensual,” said Jaramillo. “Now, They’ll have to apply for state authorization to hire employees.”
Employers must now obtain authorization, adhere to strict safety protocols, and meet background requirements, including no prior convictions for s£xual assault or human trafficking. They must provide clean linens, condoms, and hygiene products, and install emergency buttons in workspaces.
Independent s£x work remains permitted, but unregulated third-party hiring or violations of the legal framework will be prosecuted.
Critics argue the law cannot fully address the stigma and risks tied to the trade, especially for undocumented s£x workers.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Jaramillo, emphasizing the need for better police and judicial training to protect marginalized workers.
While countries such as Germany and the Netherlands have legalized s£x work, none have implemented labor protections as comprehensive as Belgium’s.
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