Ethan Cairns, The Canadian Press

A look at national news events in December 2024:

1 - Belgium grants sex workers full labour rights, including health insurance, paid leave and pensions. The law establishing key rights including refusing clients and stopping acts at any time comes after the decriminalization of sex work in 2022. Employers must meet strict licensing and safety standards, while unregulated hiring may be penalized. Advocates hail the law as groundbreaking while critics worry undocumented workers remain vulnerable.