Belgium has become the first country in Europe to grant full employment rights to sex workers, a move The Times describes as a landmark shift in recognizing prostitution as a legal form of work. The new legislation, effective December 1, provides access to social security, pensions, and regulated working conditions, establishing a new employment category called travailleuses et travailleurs du sexe.
According to The Times, UK, this law allows sex workers to enter official employment contracts, including part-time and casual arrangements for students. It also safeguards their right to refuse clients or specific sexual acts without fear of losing their jobs or facing employer retaliation, with a six-month protection period against punitive measures.
“This does not mean that we believe that sex work is work like any other,” explained Daan Bauwens, director of the Belgian union for prostitutes, Utsopi, in comments reported by The Times. “We are just saying that it must be recognized and treated as such by the state so that active people can benefit from adequate protection.”
Despite these advancements, critics argue the law does little to combat the societal stigma surrounding prostitution. Feminist groups like Isala, The Times notes, view the legislation as dangerous, asserting that it normalizes exploitation and sends the wrong message about gender equality. “For society, the message is dangerous but unequivocal: prostitution is now a ‘normal activity,’ ‘a market like any other,’” the group said in a statement.
The law also imposes safety and hygiene requirements, mandating clean bedding, accessible showers, emergency panic buttons, and provisions such as condoms. However, The Times highlights that undocumented migrants and unregistered residents are excluded from these protections, a gap that campaigners say perpetuates inequality.
Belgium joins New Zealand as one of the few countries to fully decriminalize prostitution while ensuring robust legal protections, though critics and advocates alike agree that societal stigmas remain a significant challenge.
