Belgium Makes History with Full Employment Rights for Sex Workers

In a historic move, the government of Belgium has become the first country to approve full employment rights, including maternity leave, pensions, and other benefits, for sex workers in an attempt to end legal discrimination and exploitation against them.

Through this law, passed in May and signed on Sunday, December 1, the Belgian government recognizes the rights and welfare of sex workers in the formal economy, granting them the same privileges—including health insurance, pensions, family allowances, maternity leave, and paid vacations—as professional workers in other sectors.

With this new law in place, sex workers can now sign formal contracts, which mandates potential employers to conduct comprehensive background checks, including ensuring they have no prior convictions for sexual assault, human trafficking, or fraud.

The new law also requires employers to obtain official authorization from the Belgian government and meet certain standards, such as maintaining hygienic premises, installing panic buttons, and ensuring the availability of clean linens.

Employers who fail to meet these requirements or violate them will face heavy penalties.

Also, the new law empowers sex workers in the country to refuse clients, decline specific acts, or stop an act at any point without risking contract termination by their employers.

This move reflects the Belgian government’s commitment to creating a safe work environment for its citizens and ensuring that those in this line of business are treated equally, without discrimination.

In reaction to this development, members of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers have expressed excitement over the signing of the bill into law, expressing optimism that it will help tackle discrimination against their profession.

The union said, “A huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers.”

International organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have commended the Belgian government, describing the move as a progressive stance.

A researcher with Human Rights Watch, Erin Kilbride, encouraged governments of other nations to adopt similar measures, saying, “The law should be emulated by every country in the world. This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far. We need every country to be moving in that direction.”

A sex worker in Belgium, who introduced herself as Sophie, in an interview with Investors King, thanked the government for offering sex workers an opportunity to live without fear of discrimination.

“This is an opportunity for us to exist as people,” said Sophie.

Investors King gathered that the decision to enact this law became necessary after a widespread protest in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the protest, sex workers in the country expressed frustration over the government’s failure to offer them palliative assistance during that period.