Julius OkorieThe Belgium Union of Sex Workers has given the country’s parliament a pat on the back following the passing of bills that guarantees sex workers, maternity leave, pensions, and legal safeguards against exploitation like every other workers.
The practitioners of the industry regarded as the oldest job in the world, described the law as a big relief that will enhance their job and offer full benefit for their hard work, describing it as “a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers”.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBelgium became the first country in the world to give sex workers opportunity to sign formal employment contracts, granting them access to benefits such as sick leave, maternity pay, and pensions.
The legislation, which came into force on Sunday, is in response to widespread protests in 2022, during which sex workers demanded state support after being excluded from government assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the new law, sex workers are granted the right to refuse clients, decline specific acts, or stop an act at any point.
Employers are also required to meet stringent standards, including maintaining hygienic premises, installing panic buttons, and ensuring the availability of clean linens and other necessities.
Human Rights watch in its reaction commended the Belgium government for the bold step and urged other nations to follow the foot step.
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The legislation which was passed in May official came into effect on Sunday December 1, 2024.
One of those at the forefront was Victoria, president of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers (UTSOPI) and previously an escort for 12 years.
For her, it was a personal fight. Victoria regards prostitution as a social service, with sex being only about 10% of what she does.
“It’s giving people attention, listening to their stories, eating cake with them, dancing to waltz music,” she explains. “Ultimately, it’s about loneliness. “She told BBC.
Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the law should be emulated by every country in the world.
“This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far. We need every country to be moving in that direction,” he said.
The legislation is however silent as to whether immigrant sex workers are also covered. Some say there are strong indications that Belgium will be the destination point for Sex workers in search of better life and better condition of service. There have been reports of Sex workers in some parts of the world who have not only been forced to offer services without pay but have in extreme cases been used for ritualists and organ harvesters.
2400 BCE was the earliest recorded mention of prostitution as an occupation. These describe a temple brothel operated by Sumerian priests in the city of Uruk. This kakum, or temple, was dedicated to the goddess Ishtar and was home to three classes of women.
The first class of women was only permitted to perform sexual rituals in the temple, the second class had access to the grounds and catered to visitors, while the third and lowest class lived on the temple grounds but had the streets as their hunting arena.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
