CMNT_TITLE

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Saint Lucia (RATIFICATION: 1980)

Other comments on C029

Direct Request

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Article 2(2)(c) of the Convention. Work of prisoners for the benefit of private persons. The Committee previously noted that the Correctional Services Act of 2003 had repealed the Prisons Ordinance No. 17 of 1963. However, the Committee noted that any rules, orders or regulations made under the repealed Ordinance shall continue in force until repealed under rules, orders or regulations made under the 2003 Act (section 49(2) of the Act). The Committee notes from the Government’s report that no regulations have been adopted yet under the 2003 Act. It therefore understands that all the existing rules and regulations made under the repealed Ordinance remain in force, including the Prison Rules of 1964, under which the superintendent is authorized to allow a prisoner to work for the benefit of a private person (Rule 67(2)).

While having noted the Government’s repeated indication in its earlier reports that the practice of prisoners working for the benefit of private persons has been discontinued, the Committee reiterates its hope that measures will nevertheless be taken in order to give statutory effect to the principle that prisoners shall not be hired to or placed at the disposal of private individuals, companies or associations, and that section 67(2) of the Prison Rules 1964 will be formally repealed, so as to bring legislation into conformity with the Convention and the indicated practice. The Committee also hopes that the Government will communicate a copy of regulations concerning the employment of inmates, referred to in section 48(b) of the Correctional Services Act 2003, as well as regulations concerning the duties and tasks to be carried out beyond the limits of a correctional facility, referred to in section 30(2) of the Act, if and when such regulations are adopted.