Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

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

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. 1. Trafficking in persons. The Committee notes the absence of information from the Government on this point. However, referring to its comments made under the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), the Committee noted the adoption of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons 2005 (Trafficking Act) which prohibits all forms of trafficking (section 2), as well as conspiring to, assisting in, or attempting to engage in trafficking of persons (section 5). It also noted that according to the 2009 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) report entitled “Global Report on Trafficking in Persons” (UNODC trafficking report) Liberia is a source, transit and destination country for child trafficking, for the purposes of forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation. The UNODC Trafficking report also indicates that most victims are trafficked within the country, primarily from rural to urban areas for domestic servitude, forced street vending, forced begging by religious instructors and sexual exploitation in brothels or private apartments, in addition to work on rubber plantations and in alluvial diamond mines. The Committee further noted the information that no convictions for trafficking were recorded during this period. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide, in its next report, information, on the application of the provisions of the Trafficking Act, including, in particular, statistics on the number and nature of violations reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed.

2. Resignation from service by state officials and career military personnel. In the absence of any information on this point, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate the provisions governing the resignation from service by state officials and career military personnel, and communicate copies of the legislation on the public service, as well as the Defence Act.

Article 2(2)(c). Prison labour. The Committee notes that under section 34.14 of the Criminal Procedure Law of 1969, all prisoners under sentence shall be required to work. It also notes that prisoners shall not be hired out to any employer outside penitentiary establishments, except to public authorities, and under certain conditions (improvement of public works or improvement and conservation of the natural resources of the Republic).

Article 2(2)(d). Legislation concerning emergencies. Please supply copies of any statutory instruments governing work or service exacted in cases of emergencies.

Article 2(2)(e). Minor communal services. Please indicate any legal provisions applicable to local public works, self-help projects and minor communal services and indicate the actual practice in the matter.