Sex Work in Belgium: Why Addressing Precarity is More Urgent Than New Legislation
In Belgium, sex work is a complex issue that intertwines social, economic, and political challenges, sparking passionate debates. Since the decriminalization of prostitution in 2022 and the introduction of a social status for sex workers (SW) in December 2024, the country has taken historic steps to regulate this activity. This legislation, often hailed as groundbreaking globally, enables sex workers to access fundamental rights such as employment contracts, health insurance, maternity or paternity leave, and pension contributions, aligning their status with that of other workers. However, precarity remains a daily reality for the majority of sex workers, particularly migrant women and those in highly vulnerable situations. This article explores why addressing precarity must be an absolute priority, far more urgent than adopting new laws, and proposes concrete solutions to improve the living conditions of sex workers in Belgium. For an in-depth analysis of the controversies surrounding this legislation, read our article Is Belgium Legalizing Pimping? The Belgian Law on Salaried Sex Work at the Heart of an International Controversy.
The Current Legal Framework: Promising Progress, but Limited
Belgium achieved a milestone in 2024 by becoming the first country to provide a legal framework allowing sex workers to sign formal employment contracts. This reform, the result of years of advocacy by organizations like Utsopi, aims to normalize sex work and bring it out of the shadows by guaranteeing social protections comparable to those of other professions. However, the implementation of the law reveals significant shortcomings that limit its impact. In just five months, only three applications for employer accreditation were registered, indicating limited adoption by the sector. Abolitionist organizations, such as Isala, criticize this legislation, arguing that it risks strengthening the power of pimps by legitimizing a system often based on exploitation, particularly of migrant women, who make up a significant portion of sex workers in Belgium. These women, often in irregular situations, remain vulnerable to human trafficking and abuse, with the law offering no concrete solutions to protect them. For a detailed analysis of the debates sparked by this reform, read our article Is Belgium Legalizing Pimping? The Belgian Law on Salaried Sex Work at the Heart of an International Controversy. Moreover, this legislation does not directly address the roots of precarity. For many sex workers, sex work is not a free choice but a necessity imposed by economic, social, or migration-related constraints. Without robust support to provide viable alternatives, the law remains a partial tool, unable to transform the living conditions of the most marginalized individuals. For example, Sophie, an anonymous sex worker, shared how she had to return to work immediately after a cesarean section due to a lack of financial resources or a social safety net. Her testimony highlights a systemic issue: formal rights, while necessary, are not sufficient to ensure true autonomy. Stigmatization exacerbates this precarity by isolating sex workers and restricting their access to public services. To explore the emotional impact of this stigmatization, read our article Prejudices and Discrimination: How Stigmatization Affects the Emotional Well-Being of Escorts in Belgium.
Precarity: A Central Obstacle for Sex Workers
Precarity is the primary challenge facing sex workers in Belgium, manifesting in multiple forms that affect the financial, social, and legal dimensions of their lives. Financially, sex work is often a response to the lack of viable economic alternatives. Low wages, unemployment, or the inability to access stable jobs push many people, particularly women, toward this activity. Even with the new status, incomes often remain insufficient to cover essential needs such as housing, healthcare, or children’s education. Socially, the stigmatization of sex work isolates sex workers, cutting them off from social networks and public services. This marginalization is particularly acute for transgender individuals or migrants, who face intersecting forms of discrimination. Legally, sex workers in irregular situations live in constant fear of deportation, preventing them from asserting their rights, reporting abuse, or accessing healthcare and social assistance. This multidimensional precarity creates a vicious cycle, making it extremely difficult to exit sex work, even for those who wish to do so. By comparison, Sweden, with its abolitionist model adopted in 1999, reduced the demand for prostitution while heavily investing in exit programs. These initiatives provide access to stable housing, vocational training, financial support, and psychological counseling, enabling sex workers to transition to other sectors. In Belgium, such programs are virtually nonexistent, leaving sex workers in a survival mode where precarity dictates their choices. Organizations like Utsopi and Isala emphasize the urgent need to implement concrete solutions to address these shortcomings.
Concrete Solutions to Address Precarity
To effectively tackle the precarity of sex workers, Belgium must go beyond legislative reforms and invest in ambitious social measures. Structured social support is essential to provide viable alternatives. Inspired by the Swedish model, state-funded exit programs could include tailored vocational training, priority access to affordable housing, and psychological support to guide sex workers through their transition. For migrant sex workers, who are particularly vulnerable, specific measures are needed, such as granting temporary residence permits to allow access to social services without fear of deportation. These initiatives require close collaboration between public authorities, organizations like Utsopi and Isala, and social services to ensure their effectiveness. Combating stigmatization is another key priority. Large-scale awareness campaigns can inform the public about the realities of sex work, break down prejudices, and promote greater social acceptance. These campaigns can draw on sex workers’ testimonies to humanize their experiences and highlight their challenges, as discussed in our article Prejudices and Discrimination: How Stigmatization Affects the Emotional Well-Being of Escorts in Belgium. Additionally, it is crucial to train institutions such as the police, healthcare services, and social workers to adopt a compassionate and non-judgmental approach toward sex workers. These trainings can draw on international best practices to ensure respectful treatment, particularly for migrant or transgender sex workers, who often face institutional violence. Finally, organizations like Utsopi and Isala play a central role in supporting sex workers. These organizations provide direct support, legal advice, and spaces for exchange, but they often lack the financial resources to expand their activities. Increased state support, through subsidies or partnerships, would strengthen their capacity and create safe spaces where sex workers can connect, share experiences, and access tailored resources. These spaces could also serve as platforms to identify the specific needs of sex workers and guide public policy toward a more inclusive direction.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Social Action
The legislative reforms of 2022 and 2024 mark an important step in recognizing the rights of sex workers in Belgium, but they are insufficient to break the cycle of precarity affecting the majority. Concrete solutions, such as exit programs, enhanced social support, and the fight against stigmatization, must be urgently implemented to offer sex workers future prospects. For a deeper exploration of these issues, read our articles Prejudices and Discrimination: How Stigmatization Affects the Emotional Well-Being of Escorts in Belgium and Is Belgium Legalizing Pimping? The Belgian Law on Salaried Sex Work at the Heart of an International Controversy on our blog.