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

The Committee notes that, as the Government's report gives no further particulars in reply to the earlier observation and direct requests, the Committee must return to the question in a new observation and a direct request. It hopes that the Government will take the necessary steps and supply the information requested.

Article 1(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the Convention. In its earlier comments the Committee referred to a number of provisions contained in the Penal Code, the Newspapers Act, the Merchant Shipping Act and the Industrial Court Act, under which penalties involving compulsory labour may be imposed in circumstances falling within the scope of the Convention. It noted the Government's statement in its report received in 1992 that ministerial consultations aimed at amending the legislation referred to above were continuing, bearing in mind the political situation, following the adoption of the ninth constitutional amendment. The Constitution, as amended, has allowed for multi-party politics; and the Political Parties Act 1992 has provided specifically for formation and registration of political parties.

The Committee expressed the hope that the draft legislation under consideration would provide for the repeal of all provisions which are incompatible with the Convention and that the Government would indicate the action taken in this regard. The Committee also asked the Government to provide information on the amendment or repeal of the provisions of different enactments to which it referred in its comments under Convention No. 29 which contradict Article 1(b) of this Convention.

The Government indicates in its latest report that proposals regarding amendment of the Merchant Shipping Act so as to bring it into conformity with the Convention have been submitted by the trade union to the Government for purposes of being tabled within the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) for consideration by the tripartite partners, and that the Government intends to supply information on the position of the LAB as soon as its work is completed.

In the absence of new information concerning the amendment of other Acts referred to above, the Committee again expresses the hope that the necessary action will be taken in the near future for the repeal of all provisions incompatible with the Convention, and that the Government will soon report progress made in this regard. The Committee is again addressing a more detailed request on the above matters directly to the Government.