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

Article 1(a), (c) and (d) of the Convention. In its earlier comments, the Committee referred to (i) the Public Order and Security Act, No. 20 of 1967, empowering the executive to restrict an individual's association or communication with others, independently of the commission of any offence and subject to penalties involving compulsory labour; (ii) sections 54(2)(c), 55, 56 and 56A of the Penal Code, empowering the Minister to declare any combination of two or more persons an unlawful society and thus render any speech, publication or activity on behalf of or in support of such combination illegal and punishable with imprisonment (involving an obligation to perform labour); and (iii) section 16(1)(a) of the Trade Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act, 1964, under which workers employed in "essential services" may be prohibited from terminating their contract of service, even by notice. It notes from the report that these have not yet been repealed, due to the fact that there are so many laws to be revised in order to make them consistent with the 1995 Constitution. The Government expresses its regret and undertakes to pursue these matters. The Committee hopes the Government will be able to include in its next report new information in this respect, and that it will in the meantime indicate any further use made of the provisions.