Belgium has made history with a groundbreaking law that grants sex workers the same rights as workers in other professions. This world-first legislation provides sex workers with official employment contracts, health insurance, pensions, maternity leave, and sick days, recognizing their work as legitimate employment for the first time.

A New Era for Sex Workers

For Sophie, a sex worker in Belgium, the new law is life changing. “It’s an opportunity for us to exist as people,” she says. The legislation builds on Belgium’s 2022 decriminalization of sex work, a move that already set the country apart in its progressive approach to the industry. While sex work is legal in several countries, including Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Turkey, Belgium is the first to offer comprehensive employment rights to sex workers.

Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, hailed the law as a monumental step forward. “This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far. We need every country to be moving in that direction.”

Balancing Rights and Risks

While the law is a win for sex workers, it has sparked debate. Critics argue that legal protections won’t eliminate the risks of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse that often plague the industry.

Julia Crumière, a volunteer with Isala, an NGO supporting street-based sex workers in Belgium, expressed her concerns. “It is dangerous because it normalizes a profession that is always violent at its core,” she said. Opponents worry that by legitimizing sex work, the law could inadvertently attract more people into the trade, increasing the potential for harm.

Urgent Necessity

Despite the criticism, many sex workers see the legislation as long overdue. For those who enter the industry out of necessity, the new protections provide a sense of security and dignity that was previously lacking.

By extending the rights afforded to other workers, Belgium’s law recognizes sex work as legitimate labor and aims to reduce stigma and marginalization. Proponents hope this model will inspire similar reforms in other countries, paving the way for greater protections and equity for sex workers worldwide.

A Global Conversation

As Belgium leads the charge, the world is watching. This pioneering legislation has the potential to reshape the global conversation about sex work and workers’ rights. While challenges remain, the law marks a significant step toward recognizing the humanity and dignity of those in the industry.

The question now is: will other nations follow Belgium’s lead, or will this bold move remain an isolated example of progressive reform? Only time will tell.