Belgium Pioneers Legal Protections for Sex Workers with Maternity and Pension Rights

Belgium has become the first country to grant sex workers employment protections, including sick days, maternity pay, and pension rights, following a new law that aims to prevent abuse and exploitation. The law, effective from Sunday, provides sex workers with employment contracts and legal rights, allowing them to refuse clients or acts without fear of dismissal. While hailed as a significant step forward by the Belgian Union of Sex Workers, some feminist groups criticize it for potentially normalizing prostitution and failing to address underlying issues of trafficking and exploitation.