For the first time in the world, Belgium has announced many rights for sex workers including maternity leave, pension, health insurance and sick leave. According to the BBC, the law seeks to give sex workers the same employment and protection as other workers.
This law has come into effect from December 1. Sexwork was decriminalized in Belgium in 2022. Since then there was a demand to give many rights to sex workers in the country including security, employment, health etc.
Sex workers cannot be fired for refusing sex or taking leave under a new law in Belgium.
Victoria, President of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers said-
If there is no law and your job is illegal then there is no protocol to help you. Now sex workers will get protection through the new law.
Human rights activists have praised the law. Erin Kilbride of Human Rights Watch said:
This is a revolutionary step. This is the best step taken worldwide to protect sex workers.
Rules have to be followed for sexwork Under the new law, sex workers will get an employment contract. Apart from this, rules related to working hours and workplace safety have to be followed. Every room where sexual activity takes place should be clean and tidy. In addition an alarm has to be installed which is connected to the person in respect of the worker.
Under the new law, pimps who control prostitution are allowed to operate legally, but must follow strict rules.
A person convicted in cases like human trafficking, sexual harassment, fraud will not be allowed to hire a sex worker.
What rights will the law give? This law will give sex workers the same protections and rights as other employees. A sex worker can refuse clients, set conditions for the act, and stop the act at any time.
They cannot be fired for this. Workers can resign whenever they want without any notice.
Prostitution got legal status in these countries
Germany: Prostitution is also a legal profession in Germany. All sex workers here are required to have a tax ID number, as they have to pay tax on their income like other employees, although there are strict rules to control prostitution. In some German cities, sex workers are not allowed to stand on the streets looking for clients.
France: Prostitution is legal in France, although a new law was implemented in 2014 making it a crime to pay for sex. For doing so, customers may be fined 2 to 4 lakh rupees.
Greece: Prostitution is also a legal profession in Greece. Like other people, sex workers also have to get their medical insurance.
Turkey: Prostitution is also a legal profession here. Here it is mandatory for sex workers to register themselves and get an ID card.
Britain: Sex workers have rights in Britain too. Some of the rules have been changed from time to time due to opposition from NGOs. For example driving slowly in the red light district while looking for a sex worker is not allowed.
Spain: In Spain it is a crime to force another person into prostitution or to profit from it. A person can join this profession as per his wish. Prostitution is a legal profession here too.
Mexico and Brazil: Prostitution is permitted in almost all Latin American countries. Although running a sex racket is a crime, it is common here.
New Zealand and Australia: While prostitution is permitted throughout New Zealand, different parts of neighboring Australia have different laws. The trade has become legal for adults in New Zealand since a law change in 2003.
Netherlands: Amsterdam's redlight district is perhaps the most famous part of the world for prostitution. Unlike other countries, where people secretly visit red light areas, tourists in Amsterdam come specifically to see the area.
America: Prostitution is illegal in most US states except Nevada. Nevada is the only state in America where prostitution is legal. However, prostitution is also illegal in many Nevada counties.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
