Belgium Grants Sex Workers Full Employment Rights in Landmark Law

The new legislation provides sex workers with access to health insurance, maternity leave, pensions, and the right to refuse clients or acts, marking a global first for labor protections in this field.

Sex workers in Belgium can now sign formal employment contracts, giving them access to benefits like sick pay, maternity leave, pensions, and unemployment support.
The law ensures sex workers have the right to refuse clients or specific sexual acts and to stop services at any time without retaliation.
Employers must meet strict criteria, including background checks for criminal offenses, and are required to provide safe working environments with measures like emergency alarms and clean facilities.
This legislation builds on Belgium's 2022 decriminalization of sex work, which eliminated criminal penalties but did not previously grant labor rights or social protections.
Advocacy groups view the law as a major step forward but note its limitations, as it excludes self-employed sex workers and those working in certain sectors like pornography or online platforms.