Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee takes note of the Government's report.

Article 2, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention. 1. In the comments which it has made since 1982, the Committee has requested the Government to provide copies of any texts setting out practical procedures and regulations with respect to prison labour which might have been adopted in accordance with section 22(2), 26(2) and 35(3) of the 1980 Penal Code. The Committee notes that the Government's report does not contain the information requested, and expresses the firm hope that the Government will be able to indicate whether such texts have been adopted and, if this is the case, to provide copies of the texts which have been requested for a number of years, or to provide information on any developments in this matter.

Freedom of public servants to terminate their employment. 2. The Committee in its previous comments since 1988 has referred to the absence of legislation or regulations to abolish the pre-determined ten-year engagement as a condition of entry for training in different establishments. The Government has indicated in earlier reports that the ten-year engagement is no longer applicable. The Committee requested the Government to take measures to bring its legislation into conformity with the stated practice. The Committee notes that, according to the Government's last report, the situation has not changed.

3. The Committee recalls that effective application of the Convention presupposes that both national practice and national legislation comply with the spirit and the letter of the forced labour Conventions. It therefore hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to repeal or amend those provisions in national legislation which oblige public servants and military personnel to serve the State for a period of ten years in exchange for the training they have received, and that it will provide a copy of the relevant text.