Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

In its previous comments the Committee referred to the 2. It noted that persons between the ages of 80 to 21 years, among others, are required to perform service with the National Service (sections 12 and 28). Servicemen are to undertake training and employment and perform such duties as may be prescribed and shall, where possible, be engaged in development and self-help projects including housing, school construction, agriculture and road building (section 29). Persons, liable under the Act, who fail without reasonable excuse to present themselves to serve when called upon to do so, may be punished by a fine and imprisonment (section 35(2)).

The Committee notes the Government's statement in its report that the National Service was created to respond to natural and other disasters. The Committee is however bound to note the purpose of the above-mentioned provisions relates to development and no provision of the Act seems to deal with natural disasters. Noting however the Government's indication that the Act, while still being in the statute book, is not functional and that no National Service is in existence and section 35(2) has not been applied, the Committee expresses the hope that the Government will indicate measures taken or contemplated to modify or repeal the Act with a view to bringing legislation into conformity with Convention No. 29 as well as with Article 1(b) of Convention No. 105, ratified by Dominica, which prohibits the use of compulsory labour for development purposes.