Belgium has made history by passing the world’s first law that provides official employment contracts, health insurance, sick leave, pensions, and maternity leave for sex workers, effectively recognizing it as a legitimate profession.

 The law, which came into effect on December 1, has been widely praised by thousands of sex workers across the country.

In 2022, Belgium decriminalized sex work after extensive protests, following a global trend where sex work is legal in nations like France and Germany. By granting sex workers the same employment rights as other workers, Belgium aims to combat abuse and exploitation in the industry.

“This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far," Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, told BBC.“We need every country to be moving in that direction."

The Belgian Union of Sex Workers has praised the new law, calling it "a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers." Victoria, the union's president was the leading charge of this battle and had worked as an escort for 12 days. She pointed out the dangers of the profession, such as having no control over clients and the significant portion of her earnings taken by her agency.

Sharing an incident with BBC, Victoria said she was once raped by a client and when she went to a police station to complain about it, a female officer told her that “sex workers can’t be raped." “She made me feel it was my fault because I did that job," said Victoria. She felt like crying, Victoria added.

She said that every sex worker who has reached out to the union has shared experiences of being forced into something against their will at some point. Victoria believes the new law will improve their lives, stating, “Without a law and with your job being illegal, there are no protocols to help you. This law provides the tools to make us safer.”

However, critics argue that Belgium's new law, which grants sex workers employment contracts and legal protection, will not prevent trafficking, exploitation, or abuse. Julia Crumière, a volunteer with the NGO Isala, which assists sex workers on the streets, warned that the law could be dangerous, saying, "It normalizes a profession that is always violent at its core."

The law allows agencies controlling sex work to operate legally, as long as they adhere to strict regulations. However, individuals convicted of serious crimes will be prohibited from employing sex workers. Proponents hope the law will offer more protections and reduce exploitation, but concerns about its effectiveness remain.

Sex workers will now have the right to refuse clients and perform specific acts without fear of being fired. Employers must also be of "good" character, have a business residence in Belgium, and provide safe premises with features like panic buttons, clean linen, showers, and condoms, according to The Guardian.

Kilbride believes these employer restrictions will reduce their control over sex workers. However, Crumière, who helps many sex workers, says most women she assists just want to leave the profession and find a “normal job.” “They want to stop being outside in the cold and having sex with strangers for money,” she added.