Prostitutes and pornographers are among those to enjoy maternity leaves and pensions henceforth in Belgium. They can now enjoy government supports, too.
In a landmark decision, the country has granted them and other sex workers the same legal protections as workers in other industries. The new law, signed into effect on Sunday, ensures sex workers are entitled to maternity leave, pensions, and legal safeguards against exploitation.
This historic move follows intense protests in 2022, when sex workers demanded state support. Government excluded them from COVID-19 assistance then. The protests highlighted the lack of government recognition of their profession. Sex workers were left without the same protections and benefits available to other workers during the pandemic. Belgium’s government has now taken a significant step in acknowledging the rights of sex workers.
Rights, protections for prostitutes and pornographers, etc
Under the new law, prostitutes, pornographers, and other sex workers have the legal right to refuse clients, decline specific acts, or stop at any point during their work. The legislation ensures sex workers can maintain control over their own bodies, thus reducing the risk of exploitation.
Employers, too, are held to stricter standards. They must maintain hygienic working conditions, install panic buttons, and provide essential supplies like clean linens. These measures aim to protect sex workers from unsafe environments and abusive practices, ensuring their well-being is prioritized.
The response from sex workers in Belgium has been overwhelmingly positive. “For the first time, we feel recognized,” said Sophie, a sex worker in Brussels. “This law gives us the dignity we deserve. We are workers, too.” Many sex workers see the law as a victory in their long fight for equal rights.
The Belgian Union of Sex Workers (BUS) praised the new law, calling it a significant step toward ending decades of discrimination. “This is not just a win for sex workers in Belgium, but for all workers in the sex industry worldwide,” the union said in a statement.
A bold legal precedent for sex workers
Legal experts have called Belgium’s decision a major breakthrough in labor rights. Professor Clara Duvivier, a legal expert in labor law at the University of Brussels, said, “This is an important legal precedent. By providing sex workers with the same protections as other workers, Belgium has taken a progressive step in rethinking labor rights.”
Analysts believe that this move could spark similar changes in other countries. “Belgium has set a bold example for other nations to follow,” said gender equality expert Thomas Decroix. “It challenges the stigma surrounding sex work and acknowledges that all workers deserve protection.”
Sex therapists have also lauded the law for addressing the physical and emotional safety of sex workers. Dr. Anne Lambert, a sex therapist based in Brussels, commented, “This law helps create a safer and healthier environment for sex workers. It gives them the freedom to work without fear of abuse or exploitation.”
International praise and calls for global adoption
Human Rights Watch has commended Belgium’s approach, calling it “a radical yet necessary step.” Erin Kilbride, a researcher at the organization, said, “This is the best step we’ve seen anywhere in the world so far. It sets a powerful precedent that other countries should follow.” The global human rights community has expressed hope that this law could inspire similar legal reforms in other parts of the world.
The new legislation represents a significant shift in how government perceives sex work in Belgium. The law now recognizes sex workers as legitimate workers, entitled to the same basic rights as anyone else. This includes the right to maternity leave, pensions, and protection from exploitation and unsafe working conditions.
“This is an opportunity for us to exist as people, not just as workers,” Sophie, a sex worker, said. “We’ve been fighting for this recognition for so long, and now we finally have it.”
For many sex workers, the law marks the beginning of a new era of equality and respect. It affirms their dignity and humanity, recognizing the essential role they play in the economy and society.
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