Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1996, publiée 85ème session CIT (1997)

1. For more than 20 years, the Committee has been referring to the provisions of section 982 (former 260bis) of the General Code of Direct Taxes, empowering the authorities to exact labour for the recovery of taxes.

The Committee notes from the Government's report that this provision has still not been repealed despite the reiterated statements of the Government to this effect. It hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures in the very near future to ensure compliance with the Convention on this point.

2. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Territorial Administration was seized with the issue of amending or repealing the provision of section 2 of Act No. 14 of 13 November 1959, empowering the authorities to exact forced labour for work of public interest from persons subjected to restrictions as to residence, following completion of a sentence. The Committee expresses again the hope that the Government will be able to report progress on this matter in the near future.

3. From the information communicated by the Government, the Committee noted that the provisions providing for the assignment of conscripts to work of general interest were repealed by Ordinance No. 006 PR-92 of 28 April 1992 and asked the Government to send it a copy of the text. In its latest report, the Government indicates that a copy of the text will be sent later. The Committee hopes that it will soon be made available so as to enable the Committee to ascertain compliance with the Convention on this point.

[The Government is asked to supply full particulars to the Conference at its 85th Session and to report in detail in 1997.]