Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. Use of conscripts for non-military purposes. For a number of years, the Committee has been referring to Act No. 76 of 1973, as amended by Act No. 98 of 1975, concerning general (civic) service of young persons on completion of their studies. According to section 1 of the Act, young persons, male and female, who have completed their studies and who are surplus to the requirements of the armed forces, may be directed to work, such as in development of rural and urban societies, agricultural and consumers’ cooperative associations and work in production units of factories. The Committee recalled that the Conference, while adopting the Special Youth Schemes Recommendation, 1970 (No. 136), had rejected the practice of making young people participate in development activities as part of, or instead of, their compulsory military service, as being incompatible both with the present Convention and Convention No. 105.

The Committee has noted with interest the Government’s indication in its report that there is a proposal, which is currently before the Committee on Law Revision at the Ministry of Social Solidarity, to amend the Act concerning general (civic) service of young persons referred to above, so as to provide for the voluntary nature of the service. The Committee has also noted statistical information concerning the number of persons called up for general (civic) service and the number of persons exempted from such service.

The Committee trusts that the necessary measures will soon be taken to amend the Act concerning general (civic) service of young persons by clearly providing that the participation of young people in the civic service programme is voluntary, in order to ensure the observance of the forced labour Conventions. Pending the adoption of such measures, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the above legislation in practice, including information on the number of persons who applied for exemption from such service and those whose applications have been refused.

The Committee is again addressing a request on certain other points directly to the Government.