Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2003, publiée 92ème session CIT (2004)

1. Article 1(b) of the Convention. Participation in development. The Committee notes that section L6 of the Labour Code establishes an unqualified prohibition of forced or compulsory labour. However, pursuant to subsection 2, the prohibition does not include "all work required in the public interest by legislative provisions on … participation in development". The Committee previously drew the Government’s attention to the fact that this provision of the Labour Code was inconsistent with the Convention. A State which ratifies the Convention undertakes, pursuant to Article 1(b), to suppress and not to make use of any form of forced or compulsory labour as a method of mobilizing and using labour for purposes of economic development.

In its report sent in 2002, the Government undertakes to do its utmost, in the course of a forthcoming re-reading of the Labour Code, to secure observance of the Convention on this point. The Government adds that, in practice, the provisions of section L6(2) of the Labour Code have never been applied and that no decree or order has been adopted to regulate them. The Committee requests the Government to supply information in its next report on any progress made in harmonizing the provisions of section L6(2) of the Labour Code with the Convention and to send copies of any texts adopted to this end.

2. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on the abolition of national service for young people.