A law guaranteeing social benefits to sex workers came into effect in Belgium on Sunday. It places people working in the erotic and sex industry on an equal footing with other workers under employment law – making it the first of its kind.
The parliament in Brussels voted on the law in May. Sex work was already decriminalized in the country in 2022, but so far there has been no legal equality with other professions.
Right to maternity leave, sick days and pension
That is now changing. Employment contracts – including the usual social benefits – must become standard in the future. This also includes the right to maternity leave, sick days and pension.
The amendment is often praised as a “huge step forward”, quotes the “Spiegel”. Human Rights Watch and the Belgian Association of Sex Workers also welcomed the law.
“Normalization of exploitation”
Feminist organizations had criticized the move. If sex work is normalized, the exploitation of women will also be normalized, the argument goes.
Source: Krone
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