**Belgium Implements World’s First Law to Protect Sex Workers’ Rights**
**Legal Contracts and Various Benefits Guaranteed**
Belgium has become the first country in the world to implement a law to protect the rights of sex workers, significantly enhancing their rights and welfare.
**”Taking a Break from Sex Work? Receive Unemployment Benefits”**
On December 1st, AP News reported that the Belgian government announced the enactment of the sex worker rights protection law. Following the legalization of sex work in 2022, this law is a subsequent step granting sex workers labor rights equivalent to other professions. The new law allows sex workers to enter into formal employment contracts and ensures their basic rights, such as the right to refuse clients and to stop sexual activities. In addition, they will be able to enjoy various welfare benefits including health insurance, paid leave, maternity leave, unemployment support, and pensions.
**”Helps Combat Abuse and Exploitation” vs “Justifies a Violent Profession”**
The Belgian sex workers’ union hailed the law as a major advancement in ending legal discrimination against sex workers and seeing it as a tool to curb abuse and exploitation. Erin Kilbride, a researcher from Human Rights Watch, described the law in an interview with the BBC as “radical,” calling it the best measure not seen anywhere else in the world, and stating that all countries should follow this direction.
However, the law has also received criticism. Local feminist groups have called it disastrous for young girls and trafficking victims. Julia Crumier, a volunteer from the charity ‘Isala’ which supports Belgium’s sex workers, also criticized the law, arguing that it normalizes a violent profession and is very dangerous.
Belgium legalized prostitution in 2022. While some other countries like Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Turkey have legalized sex work, none have established such comprehensive protective legislation for sex workers as Belgium.