For the first time in the world, it was announced that it would grant many rights to sex workers in Belgium, including maternity leave, pension, health insurance and sick leave. According to the BBC, this law aims to guarantee employment and security for sex workers and other employees.
This law came into force on December 1. Sex work was declared decriminalized in Belgium in 2022. Since then, there has been a demand to grant many rights, including security, employment, health, etc. to sex workers in the country.
Under a new law in Belgium, sex workers cannot be fired for refusing sex or taking time off work.
Victoria, president of the Belgian Sex Workers Union, said:
If there is no law and your work is illegal, then there is no protocol to help you. Now, sex workers will have security thanks to the new law.
Human rights activists welcomed the law. Erin Kilbride of Human Rights Watch said:
This is a revolutionary step. This is the best measure taken in the world for the safety of sex workers.
Rules must be respected for sex work
Under the new law, sex workers will get employment contracts. Apart from this, the rules relating to working hours and workplace safety must be respected. Every room where sexual activity takes place should be clean and tidy. Apart from this, an alarm will need to be installed which will be linked to the worker’s contact person.
Under the new law, brokers who control the sex trade are allowed to operate legally, but they must follow strict rules.
A person convicted in cases such as human trafficking, sexual harassment or fraud will not be allowed to hire a sex worker.
What rights will the law grant? This law will provide security and rights to sex workers and other employees. The sex worker can refuse clients, set conditions for her act and end it at any time.
For this, they cannot be fired. Workers can resign whenever they want, without notice.
Prostitution has legal status in these countries
Germany
Prostitution is also a legal profession in Germany. Here, all sex workers must have a tax identification number, because like any other employee, they also have to pay taxes on their income. However, there are strict rules to control prostitution. In some cities in Germany, sex workers are not allowed to take to the streets looking for clients.
France
Prostitution is legal in France. However, in 2014 a new law was implemented which made paying for sex a crime. For doing this, a fine of Rs 2 to 4 lakh can be imposed on the customers.
Greece
Prostitution is also a legal profession in Greece. Like other people, sex workers must also have medical insurance.
Türkiye
Prostitution is also a legal profession here. Here, it is mandatory for sex workers to register and obtain an ID card.
Great Britain
Sex workers also have rights in Britain. Due to opposition from NGOs, some rules have been changed over time. For example, it is illegal to drive slowly in a red light district while looking for a sex worker.
Spain
In Spain, forcing another person into prostitution or profiting from it is a crime. A person can access this profession according to his wish. Here too, prostitution is a legal profession.
Mexico and Brazil
Prostitution is permitted in almost all Latin American countries. Although running a sex racket is a crime, it remains common here.
New Zealand and Australia
Although prostitution is legal throughout New Zealand, there are different laws in different regions of neighboring Australia. In New Zealand, this trade has become legal for adults since the law changed in 2003.
The Netherlands
Amsterdam’s red light district is probably the most famous part of the world when it comes to prostitution. Unlike other countries, where people secretly visit hot zones, Amsterdam tourists come specifically to see this zone.
America
Prostitution is illegal in most US states except Nevada. Nevada is the only US state where prostitution is legal. However, prostitution is also illegal in many Nevada counties.