Elizabeth Chimobi
Belgium has taken a groundbreaking step by granting sex workers the same rights and protections as other professions, positioning the country as a leader in labour rights reform.
The legislation, signed into law on Sunday, guarantees sex workers access to maternity leave, pensions, and enhanced legal protections.
The move addresses a long-standing gap in labor rights, ensuring that individuals in the sex work industry are no longer excluded from the benefits available to other workers.
The law comes in the wake of significant protests in 2022, where sex workers demanded state support after being excluded from financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The protests highlighted the precarious nature of their work and the need for state intervention.
Key provisions of the law include granting sex workers the right to refuse clients, decline specific acts, or stop any act at any time without repercussions.
Employers must adhere to strict operational standards, such as maintaining hygienic workspaces, providing panic buttons for safety, and ensuring the availability of clean linens and other necessities.
Advocacy groups, including the Belgian Union of Sex Workers, have hailed the legislation as a historic move to end discrimination and enhance dignity within the profession.
Observers suggest that this law could serve as a model for other nations grappling with the regulation and recognition of sex work.
Belgium’s decision not only legitimizes sex work but also underscores the importance of extending fundamental labor rights to marginalized sectors of the workforce, sparking renewed conversations on the global stage about dignity, safety, and equality for all workers.