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

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Liberia (Ratification: 1931)

Further to its general observation, the Committee notes with regret that no report has been received from the Government. It must therefore repeat its previous observation on the following matters:

1. Penal sanctions for illegal exaction of forced labour. Referring to its previous comments the Committee recalls that under Article 25 of the Convention, the illegal exaction of forced labour shall be punishable as a penal offence with penalties which should be really adequate and strictly enforced. The Committee trusts that the necessary legislation will be enacted. 2. Local public works. In previous observations, the Committee noted that, notwithstanding the repeal in 1962 of provisions for the exaction of forced labour for public works contained in the Revised Laws and Administrative Regulations for Governing the Hinterland, 1949, continued use had been made of such powers for carrying out local development works through self-help projects. The Committee noted that according to the annual report of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Urban Reconstruction for 1981, 75 per cent of rural development projects visited during a nationwide inspection tour were funded through self-help and it requested the Government to provide a copy of the report on the inspection tour and any similar report. The Committee hopes that the legislative provisions to be adopted with a view to giving effect to the requirements of Article 25 of the Convention will ensure that any exaction of labour in connection with local development works can be the subject of effective penalties. 3. Enforcement of the prohibition of forced or compulsory labour. In previous observations, the Committee pointed out that, under Articles 24 and 25 of the Convention, the Government was under an obligation to ensure the strict observance of the prohibition of forced or compulsory labour. It stressed the importance, in this connection, of measures to ensure adequate labour inspection, particularly in non-concessionary agricultural undertakings and in relation to Chiefs. The Committee hopes the next report will contain further information in this respect.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.