Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

1. Recognition of property rights. The Committee recalls that in its previous comments it has referred to Decree No. 84-009 of 1984 issued under Ordinance No. 83-127 of 5 June 1983 to reorganize public and private property. It requested the Government to indicate whether measures had been taken under this legislation to encourage the granting of land to freed slaves and to develop it, as well as information on any other measures which may have been taken to supply freed slaves with the necessary resources to prevent them falling back into slavery. The Government has replied very generally that the measures taken are of a kind to encourage the beneficiaries to insert themselves more easily into society. The Committee again requests the Government to indicate whether any measures have been taken, under this legislation or otherwise, to facilitate reinsertion.

2. Food for work. The Committee also referred previously to this programme, which was coming to an end, and asked for information on any programmes which might be envisaged to replace it in view of the potential for mobilization of the rural population in conditions which might have an effect on the application of the Convention. The Government's most recent report indicated that it had not yet been replaced by any structured programme. Please indicate whether it now has been replaced, and provide any texts by which such programmes have been established, as well as an indication of how they work in practice.

3. Prison labour. The Committee has previously noted Decree No. 70-152 of 23 May 1970 respecting the organization, administration and supervision of prison establishments, and Decree No. 70-153 of the same date issuing the internal rules of prison establishments. The Government had stated that it planned to revise these texts, in view of the fact that Decree No. 70-153 provides in Chapter II, section 2, for the possibility of hiring out prison labour to private individuals, which is contrary to Article 2, paragraph 2(c) of the Convention. The Government has indicated in its most recent report that these texts have not yet been amended, and has reiterated its previous statement that it would not tolerate putting prisoners at the disposal of private individuals.

4. The Committee refers the Government to the comments on prison labour in the general part of its report. It again requests the Government to amend this legislation, and asks it to provide practical information on the kinds of work performed by prisoners and the conditions under which it is performed.