In May 2024, a new law in Belgium is set to provide prostitutes with access to the same social rights as other employees. The law allows sex workers to sign job contracts with approved employers, marking an unprecedented effort to regulate the sector. Prior to the law, hostess bars and erotic massage parlors operated in a legal gray area, with sex workers being paid in cash or employed under waitress contracts. This lack of regulation was seen as an open door to abuse by supporters of the new legislation.
The decriminalization of certain forms of pimping aims to impose clear rules on the sector, create statuses tailored to the unique nature of sex work, and ensure access to benefits such as unemployment insurance, health coverage, and maternity leave. Employers must undergo criminal background checks, obtain authorization to operate, and have headquarters in Belgium to recruit legally. They are also required to respect employees’ rights to refuse clients and stop sexual acts at any time.
While some feminist associations have criticized the law for potentially commodifying women’s bodies and not adequately addressing the situations of migrant prostitutes and human trafficking victims, many in the sector view it as a realistic step forward. For example, Karin Van Der Elst, owner of Villa Tinto in Antwerp, believes that legalizing sex work is necessary to prevent it from continuing underground.
There are concerns that the new law may inadvertently benefit pimps and traffickers who already operate with impunity in Belgium, as individuals without work permits cannot be hired under the legislation. Mireia Crespo, director of ISALA, an organization supporting vulnerable women in the sex industry, warns that the law may inadvertently support exploitation. However, others argue that bringing sex work into the open is the most practical approach to address the realities of the industry.
Overall, the new law in Belgium represents a significant step towards providing sex workers with legal protections and social rights. While there are valid concerns about potential exploitation, many professionals in the sector see it as a positive development that will bring greater transparency and accountability to the industry. As experts note, it will likely take several years to fully evaluate the impact of the legislation on the lives of sex workers and on issues such as trafficking and pimping.
