![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/4790138.jpg?r=1686004820284\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Job centres in Belgium have started asking if out-of-work Belgian actors would like to try their hand at starring in pornographic films. Actiris, a public employment agency in Brussels, has been the subject of criticism from politicians, who are demanding that the question be struck from a list for jobseekers.<\/p>\n
Penalties can be imposed by Actiris on people refusing to work, which has only intensified the controversy.<\/p>\n
Fran\u00e7oise De Smedt, Workers Party of Belgium leader, said in Brussels\u2019 regional parliament: \u201cThis is downright scandalous.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a government service that should help jobseekers find a decent job. Jobseekers really should not be faced with such proposals.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the way, it\u2019s also creating a number of very uncomfortable moments for Actiris advisers!\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/4790141.jpg?r=1686004820341\")
<\/p>\n
She added that the \u201ctrivialisation\u201d of sex work was \u201ctotally unacceptable on the part of a public service\u201d.<\/p>\n
She questioned: \u201cDoes this mean that an artist looking for a job who does not agree to act in a pornographic movie can be punished?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Telegraph reports that the contentious questionnaire asks the actors and artists how happy they would be to perform in a variety of different types of work, including radio dramas, short films and pornographic films.<\/p>\n
Romain Adam, Actiris spokesman, said the question was \u201cnot a proposal but a question\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe questionnaire serves to determine what job-seeking artists and actors are interested in and where they want to work.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/4790143.jpg?r=1686004820387\")
<\/p>\n