Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

1. Article 2, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention. Referring also to its observation the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the basic and employment rates fixed nationwide for the state-run prison service. It also again requests the Government to provide information on wages paid at Wolds and at Blakenhurst, in comparison with the nationwide fixed rates for the prison service as well as in comparison with the normal minimum wages applicable in the different work sectors; on social security benefits, especially accident and unemployment insurance. Noting the TUC's comments on conditions and pay of work in state-run prisons which have concluded production contracts with private companies, the Committee hopes that the Government will provide detailed information in this respect.

The Committee has taken note of the Report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons (1991-92) and of the first annual report by the Board of Visitors in Wolds Remand Prison (1992) communicated by the Government with its report. Noting the Chief Inspector's statement that there will be no change in the attitude of most prisoners to work until they have the opportunity of earning a decent wage, the Committee requests the Government to provide copies of any later reports by the Chief Inspector, the Board for Wolds as well as by the Board for Blakenhurst prison. It also requests the Government to provide a copy of the Government's White Paper "Custody, Care and Justice" published in 1991.

2. Article 25 of the Convention. The Committee has taken note of information submitted to the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery of the United Nations Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities concerning the situation of foreign domestic workers, and in particular of information stating that certain employers of domestic servants, mostly of foreign origin, hold wages for a long time and confiscate the passports of their workers. The Committee would request the Government to provide information on the legal provisions governing these domestic servants, their conditions of entry and stay in the United Kingdom, on measures taken to investigate these allegations, on prosecutions undertaken and penalties imposed and on any measures envisaged or adopted to ensure the observance of the Convention.