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Article 1(b) of the Convention. Mobilizing of labour for purposes of economic development. In its earlier comments, the Committee noted a communication received in February 2004 from the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Moldova (CSRM), which contains observations concerning the application of the forced labour Conventions Nos 105 and 29, ratified by the Republic of Moldova. The CSRM referred, in particular, to certain provisions of the Law on mobilization, No. 1192-XV of 4 July 2002, the Law on the requisitioning of goods and services in the public interest, No. 1352-XV of 11 October 2002, and the government decision to approve regulations on the mobilization at the workplace, No. 751 of 24 June 2003, under which the central and local authorities, as well as military bodies, can exact compulsory labour from the population under certain conditions as a means of mobilizing and using labour for purposes of the development of the national economy. Thus, section 3(b) of the Law on the requisitioning of goods and services in the public interest referred to above stipulates that one of the aims of such requisitioning is to create conditions for the good functioning of the national economy and public institutions.

The Committee recalls that Article 1(b) of the Convention prohibits the use of any form of forced or compulsory labour “as a method of mobilizing and using labour for purposes of economic development” and expresses the hope that the Government will provide, in its next report, information on measures taken or envisaged in order to bring legislation into conformity with the Convention.

The Committee is also addressing a request on certain other points directly to the Government.