A month ahead of the elections, Belgium’s Chamber has approved a host of new laws, including protection for animals, measures to increase expatriation of asylum-seekers and employment contracts for sex workers. Here is a run down of some of the key legislative changes.
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Animal welfare, compensation for victims of terrorism & employment contracts for sex workers: Raft of new laws approved by parliament
Lisa Bradshaw
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Constitutional rights for animals
A proposal for the protection of animals has been written into Article 7 of the Belgian Constitution, stating that “the federal state, the communities and the regions shall stive to protect and care for animals as sentient beings”. It is being hailed by animal rights groups as a recognition that animals deserve to live a life free of suffering.
The inclusion in the Constitution has no effect on farming except as serving as a statement that animals should be treated as well as possible in industrial settings. CD&V and Open VLD voted against the amendment, and N-VA and Vlaams Belang abstained. Animal rights organisation GAIA has been campaigning for the amendment for eight years and calls it an “historic victory”.
Measures to increase expatriation
A number of measures have been approved to make it easier to return immigrants to their country of origin. There are some 100,000 immigrants in Belgium who have been denied a residency permit but remain in the country. The bill that was approved includes hiring more immigration officials and increasing capacity in closed detention centres.
Alternative to involuntary hospitalisation
A new option has been added to the law on admissions to psychiatric institutions. Currently either the patient voluntarily enters an institution or is committed by authorities to an institution. A new option allows “voluntary treatment under conditions” for people who meet the conditions for admission but don’t want to stay in hospital or centre. This voluntary treatment must be approved by a judge and involves certain steps, such as drawing up a treatment plan with a doctor.
Procedure for victims of terrorism
Eight years after the terrorist attacks at Brussels Airport and Maalbeek metro station took the lives of 32 people and injured hundreds more, a procedure for the compensation of victims of terrorism on Belgian soil has been approved. The law will simplify and accelerate compensation for future victims. A budget of €1.7 billion could be made available for this in any given year.
More barriers for problem gamblers
Starting in the spring of 2025, press shops, racetracks and mobile gambling units must check the identification of anyone taking part in gambling to ensure they are not on the black list. This is already the case with casinos, operators of slot machines, online gambling sites and betting offices.
It is illegal for some professionals who provide a public service – including magistrates, police officers and notaries – to gamble in Belgium, and their names are on a black list, which allows establishments to prevent them from all forms of gambling. Gambling addicts can also wind up on the list, whether at their own request or following a court decision.
Employment contracts for sex workers
Since 2022, sex work has been legal in Belgium, which allowed workers to become self-employed and build up sickness and pension benefits. The new law now recognises employment contracts between employers and sex workers. This offers sex workers all the benefits of employment contracts, such as guaranteed working hours and wages.
The new legislation also prohibits employers from firing workers who refuse to perform certain sexual acts and to install an emergency button in every room. In addition, anyone owning a brothel must have a clean criminal record.