Belgium has made history with its newly implemented law granting maternity leave and pension rights to sex workers, empowering an often marginalized sector of society. For Sophie, a sex worker and mother of five, the law represents a much-needed change. “I had to work while I was nine months pregnant,” she explains, highlighting her inability to take time off due to financial constraints. With the new regulations, sex workers will now have access to official contracts and protections similar to those in other professions, which advocates believe will enhance their safety and dignity.
The law comes in the wake of sex work being decriminalized in Belgium in 2022, allowing for greater recognition of sex workers as legitimate employees deserving of rights. Erin Kilbride from Human Rights Watch lauds the reform, stating, “This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far.”
Yet the law also invites criticism. Detractors argue it normalizes a profession characterized by risk and violence. Julia Crumière from the Isala NGO posits that such legislation does not adequately address the dangers of trafficking and exploitation inherent in sex work. Despite the pushback, many sex workers perceive the law as a critical lifeline. Mel, another worker, expresses relief that she can now refuse any client or act she finds uncomfortable, a change that significantly enhances her agency.
The pivot to this new legal framework was fueled by advocacy efforts and protests in 2022 during the Covid pandemic, a period that spotlighted the vulnerabilities faced by sex workers. Victoria, president of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers, describes the passage of the law as personal and transformative. “It gives people the tools to make us safer,” she asserts, emphasizing her commitment to improving conditions within the industry.
Under the new regulations, employers, or pimps, must adhere to strict rules to operate legally, with serious penalties for violations. Kris Reekmans, a legal employer in the industry, believes many “bad employers” will face closure, potentially creating a safer environment for sex workers.
While some sex workers embrace the new legal framework as an essential step towards recognition and safety, others, like Julia, remain skeptical, asserting that no amount of regulation can eliminate the inherent risks of the profession. “How to regulate sex work remains a divisive issue globally,” she cautions.
Amidst these discussions, Mel reflects on the positive transformative potential of the law, stating, “I am very proud that Belgium is so far ahead. I have a future now." With this legislation, Belgium has not only recognized the rights of sex workers but has set a precedent that could influence global attitudes toward sex work and workers' rights.
The law comes in the wake of sex work being decriminalized in Belgium in 2022, allowing for greater recognition of sex workers as legitimate employees deserving of rights. Erin Kilbride from Human Rights Watch lauds the reform, stating, “This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far.”
Yet the law also invites criticism. Detractors argue it normalizes a profession characterized by risk and violence. Julia Crumière from the Isala NGO posits that such legislation does not adequately address the dangers of trafficking and exploitation inherent in sex work. Despite the pushback, many sex workers perceive the law as a critical lifeline. Mel, another worker, expresses relief that she can now refuse any client or act she finds uncomfortable, a change that significantly enhances her agency.
The pivot to this new legal framework was fueled by advocacy efforts and protests in 2022 during the Covid pandemic, a period that spotlighted the vulnerabilities faced by sex workers. Victoria, president of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers, describes the passage of the law as personal and transformative. “It gives people the tools to make us safer,” she asserts, emphasizing her commitment to improving conditions within the industry.
Under the new regulations, employers, or pimps, must adhere to strict rules to operate legally, with serious penalties for violations. Kris Reekmans, a legal employer in the industry, believes many “bad employers” will face closure, potentially creating a safer environment for sex workers.
While some sex workers embrace the new legal framework as an essential step towards recognition and safety, others, like Julia, remain skeptical, asserting that no amount of regulation can eliminate the inherent risks of the profession. “How to regulate sex work remains a divisive issue globally,” she cautions.
Amidst these discussions, Mel reflects on the positive transformative potential of the law, stating, “I am very proud that Belgium is so far ahead. I have a future now." With this legislation, Belgium has not only recognized the rights of sex workers but has set a precedent that could influence global attitudes toward sex work and workers' rights.
