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

The Committee has noted the Government's report and the replies to the previous comments.

Article 1(a) to (e) of the Convention. The Committee notes that the Carache Re-Education Centre is now in disuse, so that the regulations relating to labour there, including in cases falling within the Convention, are no longer relevant. At the same time, it notes that the Penal Code of 1993, sections 38 to 47, does not expressly prohibit compulsory work in the cases covered by the Convention; and, on the contrary, it provides for the penalty of compulsory social labour -- which may be for non-public entities considered to be of value to the community. The Committee notes the Government's indication that social work is subject to the express consent of the person concerned. It would be glad if the Government would indicate any provisions whereby it is ensured that neither prison labour nor other forms of compulsory work are required in cases falling within the Convention, and describe how these sections of the Penal Code operate in practice in this regard.