World’s First Legislation for Sex Worker Protections

Belgium has become the first country in the world to recognize sex workers as employees, granting them employment rights such as contracts, health insurance, pensions, maternity leave, and sick days. The groundbreaking law, which takes effect on December 1, builds on Belgium’s 2022 decriminalization of sex work, extending full labor protections to those in the profession.

“This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far,” said Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch. She emphasized the need for more countries to adopt similar measures, noting that sex work remains legal but not fully protected in nations like Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Turkey.

A response to historical struggles

The legislation emerged in response to protests by sex workers in 2022, spurred by a lack of government support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates and sex workers have hailed the law as a monumental step toward recognition and safety.

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Sophie, a mother of five who continued working late into her pregnancies due to financial strain, called the law “an opportunity for us to exist as people.”

Victoria, president of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers (UTSOPI) and a former escort, shared her harrowing experiences before the law. She recounted a rape incident where a police officer dismissed her complaint, stating, “Sex workers can’t be raped.” The new legislation, she said, provides “tools to make us safer.”

Key protections under the new law

The law mandates employment contracts for sex workers, ensuring social security, adherence to labor regulations, and protection against workplace threats. Rooms used for sexual services must be equipped with emergency alarms linked to a “reference person,” and workers have the right to refuse clients or services without risking dismissal.

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Additionally, sex workers can resign without notice or penalty and impose conditions on their services. Employers, including pimps, must adhere to strict rules, with those convicted of serious crimes barred from hiring workers.

Critics highlight persistent challenges

Despite its pioneering nature, the law has drawn criticism. Opponents argue it may fail to address trafficking, exploitation, and the inherent risks of the profession.

“It is dangerous because it normalizes a profession that is always violent at its core,” said Julia Crumiere, a volunteer with Isala, an NGO aiding street-based sex workers in Belgium.

A Global first with room for debate

Belgium’s legislation sets a new global precedent by fully integrating sex workers into the legal labor framework. While it has been celebrated as a significant victory for worker rights, the debate over its efficacy in combating deeper issues within the sex trade continues to unfold.