In Belgium, prostitutes will soon have access to the same social rights as other employees, thanks to a law passed in May 2024. It is an unprecedented effort to regulate the sector, but not everyone is convinced.
Until now, hostess bars and erotic massage parlors in Belgium operated on a legal gray area: las sex workers They were paid in cash or had waitressing contracts. It was considered an open door to abuseaccording to supporters of the law.
“It feels good to know what is legally allowed, because the question has always been whether we were doing things correctly or not,” says Alexandra Moreels, owner of an erotic salon.
Clear standards for the sector
By decriminalizing certain forms of procuringthe government intends impose clear rules on the sectorcreate statutes tailored to the specific and unique aspects of sex work and guarantee access to unemployment benefits, sickness insurance and maternity leave.
To hire legally, entrepreneurs must check their criminal record, obtain authorization to operate and be based in Belgium. They must also respect the right of its employees to refuse a client and interrupt a sexual act at any time.
“We don’t have any problems with that, so everything is legal here. It’s as described in the law that’s coming now. The ladies should be able to choose which client they want to do it with. It’s already like that here,” says Kris, Alexandra’s husband and co-owner of the salon.
“Obviously, some are forced to accept clients. And so, for those people, It is super important that this law has been approved“explains Manon, a sex worker in Belgium since she was 19. “It must be a job that offers us the same rights as anyone else,” she adds.
Not unanimously accepted
However, this reform is not unanimously accepted, especially among certain feminist associations that denounce a commodification of women’s bodies and a text that is not adapted to the situations of migrant prostitutes and victims of human trafficking. Without a work permit, they cannot be hired under the new law.
“This will favor pimps and traffickers who already benefit from enormous impunity in Belgium,” says Mireia Crespo, director of ISALAan association that supports prostituted women in vulnerable situations.
The most realistic approach
However, many professionals in the sector consider that This reform is the most realistic approach:
“Sex work exists. And if it is not done outdoors, it will exist underground,” says Karin Van Der Elst, owner of Villa Tinto in Antwerp, a real estate complex where prostitutes can rent windows by the day.
At this stage, The new law still raises many questions. According to experts, it will take several years to evaluate its effects on the living conditions of sex workers, as well as on trafficking and pimping.
