Belgian sex workers have received the right to social guarantees, they will be able to take vacations and have pensions.
The world's first law granting sex workers the right to sign official employment contracts and receive social benefits has come into force in Belgium. The law is a consequence of the decriminalization of the sex business in the country, undertaken in 2022. Under the new law, Belgian sex workers receive the same rights and protections as other workers. The new law establishes rules for working hours, wages, and safety. Moreover, they have access to health insurance, paid leave, maternity and parental benefits, unemployment assistance, and pensions.
The law also allows sex workers to refuse clients and stop working at any Time without the risk of dismissal. Employers must ensure good working conditions, including the availability of panic buttons, clean linens, shower facilities, and condoms on the premises.
However, the new law does not apply to those working from home or in the striptease and pornography fields. While the sex workers' union and human rights advocates have praised the law as a 'significant step forward,' some feminist organizations have expressed criticism. The Council of Francophone Women of Belgium asserts that the law could have 'catastrophic' consequences for young girls and victims of human trafficking.
Additionally, in Kyiv, a police officer used sex with prostitutes during an investigative experiment to uncover a brothel. A Ukrainian designer also shared his experience of relationships with a man.
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