Starting on Sunday, sex workers in Belgium will be able to sign formal employment contracts and gain labour rights on par with those in other professions in a legal breakthrough some call a “revolution”.
The new law also establishes fundamental rights for sex workers including the right to refuse clients, choose their practices and stop an act at any moment.
The move follows the country’s 2022 decision to decriminalise sex work.
From the employer’s perspective, this will also be a revolution. They’ll have to apply for a state authorisation to hire sex workers
Under the new regulations, sex 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 recognised 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 authorisation to hire sex workers,” Jaramillo said.
“Under the previous legislation, hiring someone for sex work automatically made you a pimp, even if the arrangement was consensual,” said Jaramillo. “Now, they’ll have to apply for state authorisation to hire employees.”