Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Benin (Ratification: 1961)

The Committee notes that no report has been received from the Government. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 1(a) of the Convention. 1. Following its observation, the Committee noted in its earlier comments that under sections 215, 235 and 238 of the Merchant Shipping Code, approved by Ordinance No. 38 PR/MTPTPT of 1968, certain breaches of discipline by seafarers are punishable by imprisonment; the Committee noted that a draft of a revised Code no longer made such breaches punishable by imprisonment. The Government indicates in its latest report received in September 1997 that the revised draft Merchant Shipping Code has not yet been adopted.

The Committee trusts that the revised Code will be adopted in the near future and that it will ensure the conformity with the Convention on this point. It requests the Government to supply a copy of the revised Code as soon as it is adopted.

2. In its earlier comments the Committee noted the Government's statement that a Bill respecting the exercise of the right to strike by civilian personnel employed by the State, territorial communities and public bodies and establishments, had been submitted to the National Assembly. In its latest report received in September 1997 the Government indicates that the Bill is still at the National Assembly. The Committee reiterates its hope that the Government will supply a copy of the text when it is adopted and that it will be in conformity with the Convention.

3. The Committee requests the Government once again to supply copies of the legislation in force respecting public security and public order.