The first country to grant sex workers official labour rights
05 December 2024
Belgium became the first country in the world to grant sex workers official employment status. The law, which includes a host of employment rights and protections, like official contracts, health insurance and maternity leave, was approved by Parliament back in March, and came into effect on Monday.
Though sex work is legal in ten European countries, unsafe working conditions and harmful attitudes lead sex workers to face high levels of exploitation, violence, and abuse. They are also at high risk of falling prey to human trafficking. By treating sex work as any other job, the new law aims to combat these abuses and provide the vulnerable sector with much-needed protection.
 | Piet Ruig Belgium's unique regularisation of sex work follows intense campaigning by activists and unions, in particular the sex workers' union Utsopi. During the Covid-19 pandemic, all sectors received economic support from the government – except sex workers, who were forced to choose between their income and their health. Seizing upon the sudden visibility of the injustices in the sector, the campaign achieved a first victory with the decriminalisation of sex work in 2022, which culminated in the current law. Still, with abuses and power imbalances in the sector persisting, union representatives have warned that the law should not be seen as a miracle solution, in particular for the many undocumented people doing sex work. |
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