Belgium has introduced a world-first law granting sex workers maternity leave and pension rights last month.
Photo: Red Light District, Amsterdam 1978
Belgium has made a landmark move by extending employment protections to sex workers, granting them access to benefits such as sick days, maternity leave, and pension rights, according to a news article by the Guardian. This legislation, which came into effect recently, is the first of its kind globally and aims to address the legal discrimination previously faced by sex workers.
The law was passed by Belgian lawmakers in May, providing sex workers with employment contracts and legal safeguards comparable to those enjoyed by other professions.
As NPR reported: Mel Meliciousss, who is part of the Belgian union of sex workers, UTSOPI, said on her Instagram “I am a very proud Belgium sex worker right now.”
She added: “People who are already working in the industry will be much more protect[ed], and also people who are going to work in the industry also know what their rights are.”
Building on the Decriminalization of Sex work in 2022
The need for this legislation arose after Belgium decriminalized sex work in 2022. However, the earlier move left sex workers without essential labor rights, such as unemployment benefits and health insurance. This new law fills that gap, offering sex workers crucial protections and ensuring their rights are respected in the workplace.
The law, however, does not extend protections to sex workers operating from home or those involved in activities like striptease and pornography.
Mixed Reactions
Despite its progressive stance, the legislation has sparked mixed reactions. The Belgian Union of Sex Workers has welcomed the law as a significant step forward in ending legal discrimination against their community. However, they cautioned against the potential misuse of the regulations by local authorities to impose overly strict rules that could make sex work unfeasible in certain areas.
Several feminist organisations have voiced criticism of the law. Upon the bill’s release in 2023, the Council of Francophone Women of Belgium warned that it could prove “catastrophic” for young girls and trafficking victims.