World Desk : dhakamirror.com
Belgium has enacted a groundbreaking law that grants sex workers the same rights to maternity pay, pensions, and employment protections as other workers.
Lawmakers in the country have approved legislation that recognizes sex workers as employees, allowing them access to benefits like maternity leave, pension contributions, and legal protections against exploitation.
This decision follows months of protests in 2022, driven by the lack of government support for sex workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This historic change seeks to provide sex workers with greater legal recognition and workplace protections, making it a first for any country in the world.
The law also offers significant protections to sex workers, ensuring their right to refuse sexual partners, specific acts, or to halt an act at any moment.
Moreover, employers of sex workers are required to adhere to strict standards, including having a registered business address in Belgium, maintaining a good reputation, and ensuring that their premises are equipped with panic buttons, clean linens, showers, and condoms.
The Belgian Union of Sex Workers has stated that this law represents a major advancement, putting an end to legal discrimination against sex workers.
