Belgium has taken a pioneering step by enacting a law that grants sex workers the same employment rights and protections as other workers, setting a global precedent for labor rights in the industry.
Signed into law on Sunday, this landmark legislation ensures sex workers are entitled to maternity leave, pension contributions, and robust workplace protections.
Employers must adhere to strict standards, including providing safety measures like panic buttons and maintaining hygienic facilities.
The move follows years of advocacy and protests, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when sex workers highlighted the lack of state support they faced compared to other professions.
The law aims to end legal discrimination against sex workers, recognizing them as employees under Belgian labor law.
“This is a huge step forward,” the Belgian Union of Sex Workers said in a statement, emphasizing the transformative nature of the reform.
Key provisions of the law empower sex workers to refuse clients or acts and to stop any act at any point.
It also ensures employers meet ethical and operational standards, including maintaining good character and operating businesses within Belgium.
Sophie, a sex worker in Belgium, expressed optimism, calling the law “an opportunity for us to exist as people.”
Human Rights See hailed the development as a model for other nations. Erin Kilbride, a researcher at the organization, described the law as “radical” and urged countries worldwide to follow Belgium’s lead.
“This is the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far. Every country needs to move in this direction,” Kilbride said.
Belgium’s progressive approach is being closely watched by international human rights groups and labor advocates.
It challenges global norms, offering a blueprint for integrating sex workers into mainstream labor protections while addressing exploitation and discrimination.
With this historic step, Belgium has positioned itself at the forefront of labor reform, sparking a global conversation on workers’ rights and social equity.