Prostitutes in Belgium have gained the right to maternity leave, sick days and pensions thanks to the first law of its kind in the world.
They will also be given the right to refuse clients and say no to specific acts and cannot be fired for these refusals according to the rules.
The legislation, which was approved by the Belgian parliament in May and came into force yesterday, also sets rules on working hours, wages and safety measures.
Sex work was decriminalized in Belgium in 2022 and is legal in several countries, including Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Türkiye.
But the law that now allows prostitutes to sign formal employment contracts and obtain labor rights on par with those in other professions is a world first.
The Belgian Sex Workers Union described the law as “a big step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers” and said it will help combat abuse and exploitation.
However, feminist organizations have criticized the legislation, calling it “catastrophic” for young women and victims of trafficking.
The new law also states that employers of prostitutes must provide clean bedding, condoms and hygiene products, and install emergency “panic buttons” in work spaces to keep women safe.
Sex work will be decriminalized in Belgium in 2022. Pictured: Red Light District, ‘Glass Alley’, in Ghent, Belgium
Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, called the law “radical”
It also dictates that pimps must now obtain a license to operate brothels and meet background requirements, including having no prior convictions for sexual assault or human trafficking.
Prostitutes or their pimps may also request that a government-backed mediator come and resolve any employment-related disputes.
Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, described the law as “radical” and told the BBC: “It’s the best step we’ve seen around the world so far.” We need all countries to move in that direction.”
However, Julia Crumiere, a volunteer with the Isala charity that helps Belgian sex workers, said most women involved in prostitution want help leaving the profession and getting a “normal” job, not employment rights.
“It is dangerous because it normalizes a profession that is always violent in its essence,” he said.
Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of Espace P, an advocacy group involved in drafting the legislation, described it as “an incredible step forward.”
She said: ‘This means that their profession can finally be recognized as legitimate by the Belgian state.
‘From the perspective of businessmen, this will also be a revolution. They will have to apply for state authorization to hire sex workers.
‘Under previous legislation, hiring someone for sex work automatically made you a pimp, even if the arrangement was consensual. Now they will have to request state authorization to hire employees.