S£x workers in Belgium can now have job contracts that allows them t be entitled to health insurance, pensions, sick leave, and maternity leave.
Belgium is the first country in
the world to pass a law to give labour rights to s£x workers.
The move follows the country’s
2022 decision to decriminalize s£x work.
Under the new regulations, s£x
workers will have access to health insurance, paid leave, maternity benefits,
unemployment support and pensions. The legislation also establishes rules on
working hours, pay and safety measures, addressing a long-standing gap in legal
protections for those in the industry.
“This is an incredible step
forward,” said Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of Espace P, an advocacy group
involved in drafting the legislation. “It means their profession can finally be
recognized as legitimate by the Belgian state.”
“From the employer’s
perspective, this will also be a revolution. They’ll have to apply for a state
authorization to hire s£x workers,” Jaramillo said.
“Under the previous
legislation, hiring someone for s£x work automatically made you a pimp, even if
the arrangement was consensual,” said Jaramillo. “Now, They’ll have to apply
for state authorization to hire employees.”
Employers must now obtain authorization,
adhere to strict safety protocols, and meet background requirements, including
no prior convictions for s£xual assault or human trafficking. They must provide
clean linens, condoms, and hygiene products, and install emergency buttons in
workspaces.
Independent s£x work remains
permitted, but unregulated third-party hiring or violations of the legal
framework will be prosecuted.
Critics argue the law cannot
fully address the stigma and risks tied to the trade, especially for
undocumented s£x workers.
“There’s still a lot of work to
be done,” said Jaramillo, emphasizing the need for better police and judicial
training to protect marginalized workers.
While countries such as Germany
and the Netherlands have legalized s£x work, none have implemented labor
protections as comprehensive as Belgium’s.
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