New Belgium law gives labour rights to sex workers, allowing them to have pensions and paid maternity leave

Sex workers in Belgium can now have job contracts that allows them to be entitled to health insurance, pensions, sick leave, and maternity leave. 

Belgium is the first country in the world to pass a law to give labour rights to sex workers. 

The move follows the country’s 2022 decision to decriminalize sex work. 

Under the new regulations, sex workers will have access to health insurance, paid leave, maternity benefits, unemployment support and pensions. The legislation also establishes rules on working hours, pay and safety measures, addressing a long-standing gap in legal protections for those in the industry. 

“This is an incredible step forward,” said Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of Espace P, an advocacy group involved in drafting the legislation. “It means their profession can finally be recognized as legitimate by the Belgian state.” 

“From the employer’s perspective, this will also be a revolution. They’ll have to apply for a state authorization to hire s£x workers,” Jaramillo said. 

“Under the previous legislation, hiring someone for s£x work automatically made you a pimp, even if the arrangement was consensual,” said Jaramillo. “Now, They’ll have to apply for state authorization to hire employees.” 

Employers must now obtain authorization, adhere to strict safety protocols, and meet background requirements, including no prior convictions for sexual assault or human trafficking. They must provide clean linens, condoms, and hygiene products, and install emergency buttons in workspaces. 

Independent sex work remains permitted, but unregulated third-party hiring or violations of the legal framework will be prosecuted. 

Critics argue the law cannot fully address the stigma and risks tied to the trade, especially for undocumented s£x workers. 

“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Jaramillo, emphasizing the need for better police and judicial training to protect marginalized workers. 

While countries such as Germany and the Netherlands have legalized sex work, none have implemented labor protections as comprehensive as Belgium’s.