Belgium has made history by passing a groundbreaking law that grants sex workers the same rights as other employees.
Cyber Reporters reports that the new legislation, passed on Sunday, ensures that sex workers are entitled to benefits such as maternity leave, pension contributions, and legal protection against exploitation.
The law is a result of months of protests by sex workers in 2022, who demanded better support from the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new law aims to provide sex workers with greater legal recognition and workplace protections, a first for any country worldwide.
Under the new law, sex workers have the right to refuse sexual partners, specific acts, or to stop an act at any time.
Employers of sex workers must also meet strict standards, including having a business address in Belgium, maintaining a good character, and ensuring premises are equipped with panic buttons, clean linen, showers, and condoms.
The Belgian Union of Sex Workers has hailed the law as “a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers.”
A sex worker in Belgium, Sophie, told the BBC that the new law is an “opportunity for us to exist as people.”
