Belgium has enacted a groundbreaking labor law that offers unprecedented protections and social benefits for sex workers, including paid maternity leave and improved workplace safety, making it a leader in the movement for sex workers' rights.
Belgium Implements Landmark Labor Protections for Sex Workers
Belgium Implements Landmark Labor Protections for Sex Workers
New legislation in Belgium enhances the rights and social benefits for sex workers, setting a global precedent.
A significant shift in labor laws has occurred in Belgium, granting greater protections and social benefits to sex workers than any comparable legislation worldwide. Following the decriminalization of sex work in 2022, the new law, which came into effect on December 1, 2024, marks a pioneering move in Europe.
Under the new law passed in May, sex workers can opt to sign a formal employment contract that provides access to extensive social security benefits, including maternity and sick leave as well as unemployment aid. Erin Kilbride, a researcher with Human Rights Watch specializing in women's and LGBTQ rights, hailed it as the "most comprehensive labor law related to sex work that we have seen globally."
The law emphasizes the importance of ongoing consent, allowing sex workers, regardless of gender, to refuse clients or specific acts without facing repercussions from their employers. It also mandates workplace safety measures, including emergency buttons in client rooms, and fortifies protections against wrongful termination and exploitation.
Crucially, the legislation prevents individuals with convictions for serious offenses, such as rape and trafficking, from employing sex workers. These reforms collectively aim to enhance the safety and rights of sex workers in Belgium, demonstrating a robust commitment to human rights and labor equality in a historically marginalized sector.
