When I do comments about that country’s policies, it’s usually to complain about the excessive burden of government spending (as captured by this OECD chart).
Today’s column will be about Belgium, but the focus will not be fiscal policy.
More specifically, let’s look at how politicians are micromanaging prostitution, providing goodies with one hand but coercing sex with the other hand.
A new law in Belgium celebrated by activists for providing a “labour contract” to prostitutes will also enable their pimps to punish them with a government mediator if they refuse sex more than 10 times in a six-month period. The Belgian Parliament voted for the law on May 3, with 93 in favor, zero opposed, and 33 abstentions. …The law outlines that prostitutes will receive health insurance, a pension, maternity and holiday leave, and unemployment benefits. Their pimps will be forced to provide them with a “safety button” to use for emergencies. …Prostitutes are to be granted “rights” to refuse sexual acts, stop sexual acts, perform sexual acts in the manner they prefer, and refuse to sit behind Amsterdam-style windows (public facing windows where prostitutes are on display). However, should a prostitute use these “rights” 10 times within six months, their pimp can then call on a government mediator to intervene.
Reading this, I feel sorry for the prostitutes. The article talks about the various benefits they will receive, but it doesn’t mention that they also are subject to Belgian taxes (which, at least as of a couple of years ago, are the worst in Europe for average workers).
They’d probably be better off working in the underground economy.
I also think it’s absurd that they can be coerced into having sex. In effect, the politicians are saying that guys have a human right to have sex with the hooker of their choice.
This is a case where people should appreciate the libertarian view on freedom of association. Simply stated, women should have the right to discriminate against all men or some men, and vice-versa.
P.S. My personal view is that prostitution is unseemly, but should be legal.
Dan Mitchell is co-founder of the Center for Freedom and Prosperity and Chairman of the Board. He is an expert in international tax competition and supply-side tax policy.
