Prostitutes in Belgium have been given full employment rights as sex workers under a new law that entitles them to social security and pensions.
The law has created a new category of employment — travailleuses et travailleurs du sexe, or sex workers — which requires an official employment contract.
This will cover and regulate working hours and remuneration — including prostitutes working part-time, as casual workers or while studying in higher education.
DIRK WAEM/BELGA MAG/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
“We could never have dreamed that we would be here now,” said Daan Bauwens, the director of Utsopi, the Belgian union for prostitutes. “I think the most important thing is that we now make access to social security possible.”
While critics regard prostitution as a form of exploitation and violence against women, campaigners in Belgium say they require legal protections. “This does not mean that we believe that sex work is work like any other, we are just saying that it must be recognised and treated as such by the state so that active people can benefit from adequate protection,” Bauwens said.
One important employment right is that sex workers are able to refuse a client or a sexual act without fear of being sacked by a brothel. “The employer cannot sanction the worker exercising this right of refusal by adopting unfavourable measures, such as a disciplinary sanction, dismissal or any act attempting to unilaterally terminate the employment contract,” the legislation said.
It added: “...
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