“For me, this is a huge step forward! », Reacts Berthe de Laon*, 30 years old, sex worker (TDS) since 2015, and coordinator of the Red Umbrella federation. Since December 1, Belgium has become the first country in the world to offer a social and salary framework to TDS allowing them, through an employment contract, to benefit from paid leave, health and unemployment insurance and to contribute for the retirement, like any other profession.
“Given the Belgian policy of decriminalization of sex work, it is a logical continuation to integrate it into labor law,” underlines Berthe. A situation almost impossible to imagine in France given that the activity is governed by the law on pimping. » Difficult, therefore, for her to “compare” or to consider having a contract for her activity because “we are far from arriving at this type of policy in France”.
Interesting for some sex workers, less so for others
But even if the context were different, Berthe de Laon would not be interested in this type of framework which would imply becoming an employee. “I like being able to manage my amount of work, when I want to do it, and without obligation,” she assures, being an independent “real” sex worker.
“On the other hand, I am sure that it may interest many colleagues who prefer to work in salons and access rights, through this,” she says. According to her, regulating sex work, particularly virtual sex work, could allow TDS to be more independent. “Currently, these sites can set the conditions they want and consider TDS as service providers. They then find themselves in great precariousness if they fall ill, for example. »
A contract, “yes but not for everyone”
A former TDS when she was a student, Hélène*, 26, never declared her income. “I was receiving cash and no one knew anything about it. For my part, it suited me very well not to be recognized,” she confides. She says that she earned “200 euros an hour” through a platform and “everything went directly into [sa] pocket”. “It would have been strange to me to have to pay a percentage of taxes from this activity to the State,” she admits.
“But I didn’t practice “full time” and not in such a professional way compared to others,” she adds. I think that depending on the sex work you do, the contract is actually a very good option. » For her, Belgian law is “yes but not for everyone”. “Afterwards, it’s a good start to improve working conditions and protect TDS in general. It’s necessary,” she says.
What to do for undocumented sex workers?
The two women raise the issue of the Belgian contract for undocumented migrants. “Is it really beneficial for them? Can they have access to papers or will they find themselves in other networks to continue practicing? », asks Hélène.
Berthe, the coordinator of the federation, emphasizes that the question would not arise in France if the government opted for decriminalization of the profession. “If this activity is recognized as real work, it would allow people who do not have access to other types of activities to obtain papers to potentially apply for a residence permit through the “sponsorship” of this work. “, she emphasizes.
An increase in violence against sex workers
For Hélène, the Belgian measure would ultimately not be “sufficient” for France. “We don’t have the same culture of prostitution here, we’re not at the same level,” she says. It is not because the State recognizes you that, suddenly, TDS will be well seen in society, especially given the image we have of the profession in France and the violence that certain TDS can suffer. . »
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The associations have actually noted a significant increase in violence since the 2016 law, which aims to “strengthen the fight against the prostitution system”. “The living conditions of TDS have continued to be degraded, particularly during events like the 2024 Olympics,” points out Berthe. “It is high time to change the law and propose decriminalization to have a protective status but also so that whorephobia is recognized as real discrimination and that complaints are taken seriously,” she concludes.
