For the first time in the world, it has been announced to give many rights to sex workers in Belgium including maternity leave, pension, health insurance and sick leave. According to BBC, under this law an attempt has been made to provide employment and security to sex workers like other employees.
This law has come into effect from December 1. Sex work was declared decriminalized in Belgium in the year 2022. Since then, there was a demand for giving many rights including security, employment, health etc. to sex workers in the country.
Under a new law in Belgium, sex workers cannot be fired for refusing sex or taking leave.
Victoria, president of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers, said-
If there is no law and your job is illegal then there is no protocol to help you. Now sex workers will get security through the new law.
Human rights activists have praised this law. Erin Kilbride of Human Rights Watch said-
This is a revolutionary step. This is the best step taken worldwide for the safety of sex workers.
Rules have to be followed for sex work
Under the new law, sex workers will get employment contracts. Apart from this, rules related to working hours and workplace safety will have to be followed. Every room where sexual activity takes place should be clean and tidy. Apart from this, an alarm will have to be installed which will be linked to the reference person of the worker.
Under the new law, brokers controlling the sex trade are allowed to operate legally, but they must follow strict rules.
A person convicted in cases like human trafficking, sexual harassment, fraud will not be allowed to hire a sex worker.
What rights will the law give? This law will give sex workers the same security and rights as other employees. The sex worker can refuse clients, set conditions for the act, and stop the act at any time.
For this they cannot be fired from work. Workers can resign whenever they want without any notice.
Prostitution has got legal status in these countries
Germany
Prostitution is also a legal profession in Germany. Here, all sex workers are required to have a tax ID number, because like any other employee, they also have to pay tax on their income. However there are strict rules to control prostitution. In some cities in Germany, sex workers are not allowed to stand on the streets looking for clients.
France
Prostitution is legal in France. However, in 2014 a new law was implemented under which paying for sex is a crime. For doing this, a fine of Rs 2 to 4 lakh can be imposed on the customers.
Greece
Prostitution is also a legal profession in Greece. Like other people, sex workers also have to get their medical insurance done.
Türkiye
Prostitution is a legal profession here too. Here it is mandatory for sex workers to register themselves and get an ID card.
Britain
Sex workers have rights in Britain too. Due to opposition from NGOs, some rules have been changed over time. For example, driving slowly in a red light district while searching for a sex worker is not allowed.
spain
In Spain it is a crime to force another person into prostitution or to profit from it. A person can join this profession as per his wish. Here too prostitution is a legal profession.
Mexico and Brazil
Prostitution is permitted in almost all Latin American countries. Although running a sex racket is a crime, it is still common here.
New Zealand and Australia
While prostitution is permitted throughout New Zealand, there are different laws in different parts of neighboring Australia. In New Zealand, this business has become legal for adults since the law changed in 2003.
Netherlands
Amsterdam's red light district is probably the most famous part of the world for prostitution. Unlike other countries, where people secretly visit red light areas, tourists in Amsterdam come specifically to see this area.
America
Prostitution is illegal in most US states except Nevada. Nevada is the only state in America where prostitution is legal. However, prostitution is also illegal in many counties of Nevada.
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