Belgium has become the first country in the world to grant employment rights to sex workers.
This historic move, effective from Sunday, December 1, allows sex workers to sign formal contracts.
With these contracts, they can access benefits like sick leave, maternity pay, and pensions.
The law, originally passed in May, aims to protect sex workers from exploitation and unsafe conditions.
Under the new law, sex workers also have the right to refuse clients and set their own service terms.
They can stop an act at any point, ensuring their safety and autonomy.
Mel Meliciousss, a member of UTSOPI, the Belgian sex workers’ union, celebrated the change.
“I am a very proud Belgian sex worker right now,” Meliciousss said on Instagram.
She added that both current and future workers would now understand their rights better.
For years, sex workers have faced marginalization and dangerous working conditions.
This new law is seen as a major step toward ending that.
Employers of sex workers can now operate legally, provided they follow strict regulations.
However, the law draws a clear line: no one with convictions for serious crimes like trafficking can employ sex workers.
This rule is meant to protect workers from abusive and exploitative practices.
Kris Reekmans, who runs a massage parlour with his wife Alexandra in Bekkevoort, reacted to the news.
“I think many businesses will have to shut down because a lot of employers have criminal records,” Reekmans said.
He believes the law will significantly impact the industry, especially those operating outside legal boundaries.
Employers will now need special authorization to hire sex workers.
They must also meet safety standards and pass background checks.
Belgium’s move sets a new precedent for the legal treatment of sex work.
By emphasizing workers’ rights, the country hopes to make the industry safer and more respectful.
Supporters of the law argue that it legitimizes a previously marginalized group.
Critics, however, worry about potential loopholes and challenges in enforcement.
The government insists that the law aims to promote safety, dignity, and fair treatment.
Meliciousss and other advocates see it as a long-overdue recognition of their profession.
For many sex workers, this law represents not just employment rights but human rights.
Belgium’s groundbreaking law could inspire other countries to follow suit.
Only time will tell how the law will transform the sex work industry.
For now, sex workers in Belgium are celebrating a victory they fought hard to achieve.
“This is about respect and protection,” Meliciousss concluded.
In a world where sex workers often face discrimination, Belgium’s move is seen as revolutionary.
It marks a shift towards treating sex work as legitimate labor deserving of rights and protections.
Belgium has not just made history but also sparked a global conversation.
