Belgium has made history by enacting a novel law that will provide sex workers with maternity leave, pensions, and other employment benefits, a move hailed as the first of its kind globally. Until now, many sex workers, like Sophie, had to continue working even during pregnancy due to financial necessity. "I had to work while I was nine months pregnant... I couldn’t afford to stop because I needed the money," Sophie recounts, emphasizing the hardships faced by those in the profession.
With the implementation of this new law, which establishes formal employment contracts, health insurance, and sick days, sex work will be recognized as a legitimate job. “It’s an opportunity for us to exist as people,” Sophie remarked on the significant improvement this change brings to her life. Prior to this, sex work was largely unregulated, despite being decriminalized in Belgium in 2022.
Advocates of the law, such as Erin Kilbride from Human Rights Watch, consider it a monumental step forward and encourage other countries to follow suit. “This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far,” she stated, emphasizing a growing demand for rights among sex workers globally. However, critics voice concerns that the law could perpetuate issues like trafficking and exploitation.
Individual experiences shed light on the critical nature of this legal reform. Mel, a sex worker, shared a striking past experience when coerced to perform a sexual act without protection amid an STI outbreak. With the new law in place, she believes she will be empowered to refuse unsafe situations. “I could have pointed the finger at my madam and said: ‘You're violating these terms and this is how you should treat me,’” she explained.
The change stemmed from months of protests, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when many in the profession lacked state support. Key figures like Victoria, president of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers (UTSOPI), advocated for these rights, viewing sex work as a critical service addressing loneliness. She passionately believes in the protective measures the law will provide, ensuring that workers can operate safely and assertively.
The law introduces guidelines for how businesses can operate, requiring any employers with serious criminal records to be excluded from employment opportunities in the sex industry. Kris and Alexandra, owners of a massage parlor, expressed hopes that this would elevate the standards within the industry, stating, “I hope the bad employers will be shut out, and the good people... will stay.”
Nevertheless, some advocates, like Julia Crumière from Isala, caution against the normalization of sex work. She argues that implementing measures like panic buttons in sex work settings underscores the inherent risks involved. “In what other job would you need a panic button?” she questions.
While the debate over sex work regulation continues, many, including Mel, see the potential benefits of bringing the profession out of the shadows. “I am very proud that Belgium is so far ahead. I have a future now,” she stated, reflecting a hopeful new era for sex workers in Belgium.
