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The Committee takes note of the Government’s report.

1.  Article 1, paragraph 1, and Article 2, paragraphs 1 and 2(c) of the Convention.  In its earlier comments the Committee recalled that the exception provided for in Article 2, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention, relates only to conviction in a court of law and that work imposed by administrative or other non-judicial authorities does not fall within the scope of the exception. The Committee noted in this connection the Government’s statement that there were no cases of work being imposed on prisoners by non-judicial authorities. The Committee expressed the hope that the Bill on the enforcement of penalties would contain the specifications necessary to avoid any uncertainty in law in this respect. The Government indicates in its report that the Bill is being debated in special committees in Parliament. The Committee again expresses the hope that a bill which is in keeping with the Convention will be adopted in the near future and that the Government will not fail to provide a copy of it once it becomes law.

2.  Article 2, paragraph 1. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s statement that Act No. 24/1976 on the hiring and distribution of labour, which required unemployed persons to register with the Labour Directorate and regional offices in order to be placed in employment, has been repealed by Act No. 7/1998. The Committee asks the Government to provide the text of the repealing legislation with its next report.