In a historic move, Belgium has become the first country in the world to grant employment rights to sex workers, including access to sick pay, maternity benefits, and pensions. The groundbreaking law, which went into effect on Sunday, is seen as a major step toward addressing the legal and social vulnerabilities faced by sex workers. “This is a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers,” said the Belgian Union of Sex Workers in a statement.
However, the union also expressed concerns that the new regulations could be misused to marginalize the profession further.
“We already see certain municipalities hiding behind the words ‘safety’ and ‘hygiene’ to promulgate very strict local regulations that make sex work almost impossible on their territory.”
The law, passed in May, ensures sex workers are granted the same labor protections as other employees. This includes the right to refuse clients or specific acts and to stop an encounter at any time without fear of being dismissed.
Employers in the industry are now required to maintain safety and hygiene standards, such as providing panic buttons, clean linens, and condoms at work premises. Only businesses led by individuals of “good character” with a Belgian address will qualify under the new rules.
However, the protections stop short of covering home-based sex work or other activities like striptease and pornography. Critics argue that while the law protects workers’ rights, it doesn’t address deeper societal concerns about the profession.
Feminist organizations, such as the Council of Francophone Women of Belgium, have voiced opposition since the law’s introduction in 2023.
“To assume that prostitution exists and that we must protect workers is to accept this sexist violence and not to fight it,” the group stated, labeling the law “catastrophic” for vulnerable groups, including victims of trafficking.
The new framework aims to close the gap left by the 2022 decriminalization of sex work in Belgium, which eliminated legal penalties without providing labour rights like unemployment benefits or health insurance. Lawmakers believe this legislation will combat exploitation and improve safety for sex workers.
The reform has sparked debate, shining a spotlight on the global conversation about the balance between worker protections and the societal implications of sex work.
