Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

The Committee notes with interest the information supplied by the Government in answer to its previous direct request.

1. The 1993 edition of the General Orders applicable to the Fiji civil service, a copy of which is stated in the Government's report to be enclosed for information and reference, appears not to have been received by the Office. The Committee would appreciate it if another copy could be sent with the Government's next report.

2. The Committee notes the Government's indication in its report that the Fijian customary laws have not been coded and will remain so for some time, that colonial regulations making a rigorous application of the concept of "lala", a form of community labour, have been abolished since the 1967 reorganization of the Fijian administration and that, following a further review of the Fijian administration in 1985, the drafting of new regulations is still in progress but is unlikely to take up the element of forced labour in its final provisions. The Committee takes due note of the Government's assurance that if there is some chance of its reintroduction, the Government will seek the sanction of the International Labour Organization.