Brussels, June 2024 – In a groundbreaking move to regulate the sex work industry, Belgium has adopted a new law granting sex workers the same social rights as other employees.
Effective from May 2024, this reform allows sex workers to sign job contracts with approved employers, marking an unprecedented effort to formalize and protect a historically marginalized sector.
Despite its progressive intentions, the law has sparked a mix of support and opposition, highlighting deep-seated tensions and varied perspectives within Belgian society.
Regulating a Legal Gray Area
Historically, sex work in Belgium has existed in a legal gray area. Hostess bars and erotic massage parlors operated under ambiguous conditions, with sex workers often paid in cash or under misleading waitress contracts.
This lack of clarity has been a breeding ground for abuse and exploitation, according to advocates of the new law.
“It feels good to know what is legally allowed because the question has always been whether we were doing things correctly or not,” says Alexandra Moreels, owner of an erotic salon. This sentiment reflects a widespread desire for legal certainty and the recognition of sex work as a legitimate profession.
Clear Rules and Social Protections
The new law aims to establish clear rules within the sector, creating legal statuses tailored to the unique aspects of sex work. By decriminalizing certain forms of pimping, the government hopes to impose order, ensuring access to unemployment benefits, health insurance, and maternity leave for sex workers.
To recruit legally, employers must undergo stringent checks, including criminal record verifications, obtain authorization to operate, and base their headquarters in Belgium. Additionally, they must respect their employees’ right to refuse a client and to stop a sexual act at any time.
Kris, Alexandra’s husband and co-owner of the salon, supports these regulations: “We have no problem with that at all, so everything here is legal. It’s as described in the law that is coming now. The ladies should be able to choose which client they want to do. That’s already the case here.”
Manon, a sex worker in Belgium since she was 19, echoes this sentiment. “Obviously, some are forced to accept clients. And so, for those people, it is super important that this law has been passed. It must be a job that offers us the same rights as anyone else’s.”
Divided Opinions
Despite its progressive framework, the reform has not been universally welcomed. Certain feminist associations criticize the law, arguing that it commodifies women’s bodies and fails to address the complexities faced by migrant prostitutes and victims of human trafficking. Without a work permit, these individuals remain outside the legal protections offered by the new framework.
Mireia Crespo, director of ISALA, an association supporting vulnerable women prostitutes, voices a strong objection: “This will favor pimps and traffickers who already benefit from enormous impunity in Belgium.”
This concern underscores the complexities of regulating sex work in a manner that protects all parties involved, particularly those most at risk of exploitation.
A Realistic Approach
Many industry professionals consider the reform a realistic approach to a persistent issue. Karin Van Der Elst, owner of Villa Tinto in Antwerp, where prostitutes can rent windows by the day, believes that bringing sex work into the open is essential to ensuring safety and legitimacy. “Sex work exists. And if you don’t do it in the open, it will exist underground,“ she asserts.
The Road Ahead
While the new law is a significant step forward, it raises numerous questions that will take years to answer. Experts emphasize the importance of monitoring its impact on the living conditions of sex workers, as well as its effects on trafficking and pimping.
Belgium’s move to regulate sex work reflects a broader trend of recognizing and addressing the needs of marginalized communities. As the country navigates this complex terrain, the balance between protection, regulation, and freedom will remain a focal point of debate.
Conclusion
Belgium’s new law represents a bold and unprecedented effort to regulate the sex work industry, offering sex workers the same social rights as other employees.
While it has garnered substantial support for its progressive intentions, it also faces criticism for potentially failing to protect the most vulnerable.
As Belgium embarks on this journey, the world will be watching to see how these reforms play out and what lessons can be learned in the ongoing quest for social justice and equality.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
