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

The Committee notes the Government's reply to its earlier comments. The Government indicates that, since forced labour is prohibited in all its forms by the Constitution, it would be unconstitutional for any one to utilize forced labour whether for the benefit of a private individual or a public entity.

In its earlier comments the Committee noted the definition of forced labour given in section 3 of the Labour Code Order, 1992, and the penal sanctions provided in section 7(1) of the Order for any person who exacts or imposes forced labour for the benefit of any private individual, association or body and in section 7(2) for any chief or public officer who puts constraint upon the population or any member thereof to work for any private individual, company, association or other such body. The Committee reiterates its hope that similar sanctions will be provided for any imposition of forced labour as defined in section 3 of the Order, also if imposed for the benefit of a public entity. It asks the Government to provide, in its next report, information on any measures taken towards this end.