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The Committee refers to its general observation and the decision of the Governing Body at its November session, following the direct contacts mission which took place in August 1998. It hopes the Government will supply a report for examination at its next session, and that it will indicate in detail the position in relation especially to Article 1(a), (c), (d) and (e) of the Convention, bearing in mind among other things the questions raised in the previous comments concerning these matters:

1. The Government is requested to indicate whether the State Security (Detention of Persons) Decree, No. 2 of 1984, as amended, continues in force and whether forced or compulsory labour may be imposed under it in circumstances incompatible with the Convention.

2. The Government is requested to indicate steps taken to ensure observance of the Convention in respect of: (i) section 81(1)(b) and (c) of the Labour Decree, 1974, as regards direction to fulfil contracts of employment on pain of imprisonment involving an obligation to work; (ii) section 117(b), (c) and (e) of the Merchant Shipping Act, as regards possible imprisonment with the obligation to work for seafarers in breach of discipline; and (iii) section 13(1) and (2) of the Trade Disputes Decree, No. 7 of 1976, as regards similar imprisonment for participation in strikes.