Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Maldives (Ratification: 2013)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Previous comment

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Government indicates in its report that the National Anti-Human Trafficking Steering Committee (NAHTSC) adopted the National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan (Action Plan) for 2020-2022, in consultation with relevant national and international stakeholders. The Action Plan provides for measures to improve legislation and policies on combating trafficking in persons; to conduct sensitization and awareness-raising activities; and to strengthen monitoring, enforcement, and training of law enforcement officials. In 2020, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Office (ATO) was established within the Ministry of Defence to coordinate NAHTSC’s activities.

The Government also indicates that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) carried out several trainings on trafficking in persons and with the Maldives Immigration (MI) conducted joint inspections to identify victims of trafficking. Two victims from Bangladesh identified in 2020 and three victims from Thailand identified in 2021 were provided with accommodation, food, medical assistance, counselling, and air tickets to return to their country of origin. In 2019, five persons were suspected of committing trafficking in persons offences and two persons were convicted and sentenced to 15 and 7 years’ imprisonment. In 2020, three persons were suspected, and one was prosecuted; in 2021, 10 persons were suspected, and four were prosecuted.

The Committee takes note of the setting-up of a temporary victim shelter in Kaafu Atoll (the 2022 Government’s report on the application of the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (UN ICERD)). The Committee further notes that in its 2021 concluding observations, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women expressed concern that procedures for early victim identification, case management and victim protection remain weak (CEDAW/C/MDV/CO/6). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on:

• any assessment undertaken by the ATO of the results achieved in the implementation of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan for 2020–22, the difficulties encountered, as well as on any steps taken for the adoption of a new Action Plan;
• the measures taken to ensure that victims of trafficking in persons, for both sexual and labour exploitation, are properly identified and that they are provided with suitable protection, assistance and compensation, as provided for under part III of the Act No. 12/2013 on Prevention of Human Trafficking Act; and
• the strengthening of the capacities of law enforcement bodies to carry out prompt investigations in all cases of trafficking in persons to allow for effective prosecutions and the imposition of sufficiently dissuasive penalties on perpetrators. Please continue to provide information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties applied in relation to trafficking in persons.

Article 2(1). Freedom of career members of the armed forces to leave the service. With respect to its previous comments on the need to ensure that members of the armed forced are entitled to leave the service in peacetime within a reasonable period, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Regulations governing the resignation of members of armed forces are strictly confidential. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on the number of applications to resign submitted to the Minister, the number of refusals and the grounds for refusal.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

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Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Vulnerable situation of migrant workers to the exaction of forced labour. The Committee previously noted the issue of abusive practices faced by migrant workers, such as confiscation of identification documents, non-payment of wages and inhumane treatment. The Committee also noted that most migrants are unaware of the procedure to lodge a complaint, or are reluctant to do so because they fear deportation due to their undocumented status.

The Committee notes that the Government provides in its report information on: (i) the adoption of the Regulation on Employment of Foreigners in the Maldives No.2021/R-16, by the Ministry of Economic Development which sets out the procedures for issuing work permits to foreigners, including the amount of fees to be paid by employers, as well as occupational safety and health requirements in the workplace; (ii) the Regulation on General Standards for Accommodations Arranged by Employers for their Employees No. 2021/R-15, which establishes the requirements for the accommodation provided by employers as regards lighting, air circulation, size, sanitation and water supply; (iii) the Regulation on Employment Agencies No. 2016/R21, which sets out the procedure for the recruitment of employees by employment agencies, as well as the conditions for the registration and licensing of employment agencies. The Government indicates that the number of complaints lodged by foreigners with the Labour Relations Authority was 407 in 2019, 742 in 2020, 294 in 2021 and 298 in 2022. The Committee also notes that 24 employment agencies remained on the blacklist as of 2019 (2022 Government report on the application of the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination).

The Committee further notes that in its 2023 report, the United Nations Working Group on discrimination against women and girls expressed concern that migrant workers lack special protection against exploitative conditions of work and that without adequate legal protection, migrants are not willing to report incidents of labour violations or violence to the authorities (A/HRC/53/39/Add.2). The Committee requests the Government to strengthen its efforts and take all necessary measures to ensure that migrant workers are fully protected against abusive practices and conditions that could amount to forced labour and are provided with effective and adequate protection, including redress and compensation. It further requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to monitor the effective implementation of the regulations adopted; carry out workplace inspections; and inform migrant workers of their rights and the complaint mechanisms available. The Committee also requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the number of complaints that have been lodged by or on behalf of migrant workers who are victims of abusive practices, as well as the number of violations detected and sanctions imposed.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. 1. Trafficking in persons. The Committee previously noted the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act (Act No. 12/2013), criminalizing trafficking in persons. It requested the Government to provide information on the measures taken to prevent, supress and punish trafficking in persons, and on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed for trafficking in persons for the purposes of sexual and labour exploitation.

The Government indicates in its report that between April 2018 and January 2019, one case of trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation was investigated by the Maldives Police Service (MPS), which had been submitted by the Indonesian embassy after the victims’ return to Indonesia. It involved two Indonesian nationals who had been brought to work at a spa resort but were forced into prostitution by their employer. In addition, four potential victims from Bangladesh were identified, based on complaints of illegal recruitment by a Bangladeshi national. This case is currently under investigation. Furthermore, in its report under the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), the Government specifies that the MPS has a specialized trafficking unit, which was investigating 42 possible cases of trafficking in November 2019, and which investigated 12 cases of trafficking in 2018.

The Government further indicates in its report that there were no prosecutions for trafficking during the reporting period. It states that Maldives immigration officials and members of the MPS are trained to identify potential victims of trafficking. Labour Relations Authority (LRA) staff also received training on trafficking. In its report under Convention No. 182, the Government further refers to the Strategic Plan 2019–2024 of the MPS, the objective of which is the policing of trafficking-related issues, including through coordination, training and capacity-building for investigations into trafficking in persons, and the promotion of reporting mechanisms for victims of trafficking.

The Committee takes note of section 31 of the Sexual Offences Act (Act No. 17/2014), which criminalizes trafficking in persons for the purpose of prostitution, both domestically and internationally, and provides for a penalty of seven to ten years’ imprisonment.

The Government indicates that a trafficking case management portal has been developed to help identify victims of trafficking, to which the Labour Relations Authority and the MPS have access. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on victim identification, protection and referral has also been developed. In addition, a national victim support hotline was established to report cases of trafficking; no calls were received in 2018 and 2019. Awareness-raising activities were conducted to sensitize stakeholders, including operators in the tourism sector, on trafficking. The Government states that it coordinates its work with regional platforms, in particular within the auspices of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime.

The Committee notes from the Government’s report to the United Nations Human Rights Council of February 2020 that Victim Identification Guidelines were adopted in 2016. The Government indicated in this report that the lack of technical expertise in investigation, prosecution and within the judiciary continued to impede successful prosecution, and that the absence of permanent shelter and support for victims was also an obstacle to effectively combating trafficking in persons (A/HRC/WG.6/36/MDV/1, paragraphs 175 and 178). The Committee notes that, according to the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights of March 2020, the United Nations Refugee Agency indicated that the Maldives was a destination country for trafficking in persons for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour (A/HRC/WG.6/36/MDV/2, paragraph 37). The Committee requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies, in order to ensure that all persons who commit acts of trafficking are effectively investigated and prosecuted, and that sufficiently adequate penalties are imposed in practice. It requests the Government to continue providing information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties applied in relation to trafficking in persons. The Committee also requests the Government to pursue its efforts to identify victims of trafficking, and to supply information on the measures put in place to provide appropriate victim protection and assistance.

2. Vulnerable situation of migrant workers with regard to the exaction of forced labour. The Committee notes that Chapter 6 (sections 65 and 66) of the Employment Act of 2008, as amended by the Fifth Amendment to the Employment Act, is entitled “foreigners in employment”. Section 65(c) states that the Minister responsible for employment shall formulate regulations with respect to the employment of foreigners in the Maldives and other relevant matters. Section 66 states that complaints may be lodged at the tribunal by or on behalf of a foreigner in employment alleging breaches of the provisions of his or her employment agreement.

The Committee further notes that section 68 of the Employment Act requires employment agencies to be registered at the Ministry. The Ministry may formulate regulations regarding the registration of an employment agency and the issuance, renewal, suspension and cancellation of an employment agency’s permit. Section 70 provides that the employment agency may charge a fee as agreed with the employer, but no fee shall be taken directly or indirectly from a prospective employee. Section 71 provides that any complaints in connection with an employment agency may be submitted to the Minister. The Minister may then suspend the permit issued to that agency for a duration deemed reasonable by the Minister, cancel it or impose a fine. A complaint relating to an employment agency may also be submitted to the tribunal.

In addition, the Committee notes that the Domestic Violence Act of 2012 recognizes that domestic workers are in a “domestic relationship” and can therefore benefit from protection under this Act (protection orders can be issued under section 18), when they are victims or potential victims of domestic violence, such as economic or financial abuse, or in situations where the victim is confined to a place or has his/her freedom of movement restricted against his/her will (sections 3(a)(5) and 4(a)). Section 67(m) provides that economic abuse includes the unreasonable deprivation of economic or financial resources to which a victim is entitled under the law.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women of October 2019, that the number of migrant workers in the country has nearly tripled in recent years. Migrant workers are subjected to exploitation and abuse, including confiscation of identification documents, non-payment of wages and inhumane treatment. Most migrants are unaware of the procedure to lodge a complaint, or are reluctant to do so because they fear deportation due to their undocumented status and because they have large debts incurred through informal migration channels. In addition, the Government stated that some migrant women domestic workers are prevented from leaving the employer’s home, and are sometimes trapped in situations of forced labour. The Government also indicated in this report that prior to deportation, migrant detention centres exist for men, while women are kept in prison. The Government has established a pre-departure screening system for Bangladeshi migrant workers in part to reduce fraudulent recruitment (CEDAW/C/MDV/6, paragraphs 56 and 86). The Government also indicated, in its report to the Human Rights Council of February 2020, that in February 2019, 24 recruitment companies were blacklisted in the Expat Online System and thus prevented from receiving administrative services by the Ministry of Economic Development (A/HRC/WG.6/36/MDV/1, paragraph 177).

The Committee also notes that, according to a press release from the President’s Office of the Maldives (available on its website), the Government has formulated a National Task-Force on issues related to migrant workers, in order to deliberate and oversee efforts to address the issue of trafficking and illegal employment of migrant workers.

The Committee notes the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights of March 2020, according to which the United Nations Refugee Agency indicated that in January 2019, the Maldives had reported that 144,607 migrants had work visas, while more than 63,000 were estimated to be living as irregular migrant workers (A/HRC/WG.6/36/MDV/2, paragraph 60). The Committee takes note of the preliminary observations and recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment on his visit to the Maldives in November 2019, according to which migrant workers would be lured into paying or indebting themselves for large sums of money for a purportedly lucrative employment in the Maldives, only to be subsequently trafficked for exploitation against their will. Their employers would confiscate their passports, make them pay exorbitant recruitment fees, not paying them any wages for extended periods of time, and exposing them to living and working conditions that are cruel, inhumane or degrading. The Committee requests the Government to ensure the full and effective implementation of the relevant provisions of the Employment Act and Domestic Violence Act so that migrant workers are fully protected from abusive practices and conditions that might cause their employment to be transformed into situations that could amount to forced labour. It further requests the Government to indicate the number of complaints that have been lodged by or on behalf of migrant workers victims of abusive practices, as well as the number of investigations, prosecutions and penalties imposed in cases of abusive practices against migrant workers. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of protection orders delivered to domestic workers under the Domestic Violence Act and the facts underlying the cases, and on the pre-departure services provided for migrant workers. Lastly, it requests the Government to supply a copy of the regulations governing employment agencies and foreign employment.

Article 2(1). 1. Freedom of civil servants to leave their service. The Committee previously requested the Government to supply copies of laws and regulations governing civil servants. The Government indicates that section 47(c)(5) of the Civil Service Act of 2007 provides that resignation terminates the employment of a civil servant. It also indicates that section 103 of the Civil Service Regulation of 2014 deals with the resignation of all civil service employees. Section 103(a) provides that employees without a service agreement (bond where the employee trained under an agreement agrees to serve the civil service or the office which funds the training or to which the training programme was allocated) may resign by submitting a written notice of at least one month and that employees who resign shall be terminated within a maximum of one month from the date of request. Chapter 25 of the Civil Service Regulation, which deals with the training and bonding of employees, sets out periods of service bonds for employees trained in the Maldives and sponsored by the office, ranging from one to seven years (sections 243 and 247). In addition, the Government indicates that civil servants under bond may resign upon reimbursement of the amount spent on the employee’s training, as agreed on an ad hoc basis. The Committee notes that section 248 of the Civil Service Regulation provides that an employee under bond can be released from a service bond if he/she agrees to reimburse the amount spent on his/her training. The Government specifies that in practice, it is more usual for a civil servant to be transferred with his/her bond to another public service position rather than applying for the release of the bond. When the latter occurs, it involves taking a job with an employer who may be willing to pay for the release of the bond. In addition, the Government states that the employment of civil servants employed temporarily under fixed-term contracts ends with the contract (Chapter 9 of the Civil Service Regulation).

2. Freedom of career members of the armed forces to leave the service. The Committee previously noted that, pursuant to section 29(a) of the Armed Forces Act No. 1/2008, members of career military personnel might apply for resignation to the competent Minister, indicating the reason for resignation. Section 46 provided that the Minister should formulate and implement regulations on employment of armed forces. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the criteria applied in accepting or rejecting a resignation submitted by career military members and to indicate the provisions applied in this regard.

The Government indicates that confidential regulations of the Armed Forces Act apply to resignation. It states that, in practice, resignations are accepted. As for service bond under the Civil Service Regulation, service bonds given in the Armed Forces may be reimbursed if the employee seeks to leave employment before the bond expires. The Government indicates that there have been two cases in the last three years where military personnel have resigned and actually ceased their service before the repayment of their service bonds. The Defence Service has taken the cases to civil court to obtain reimbursement of training costs related to the service bond.

The Government indicates that, between 2017 and 2019, 175 resignation requests were granted, seven resignation requests with compensation for service bonds were granted, and 17 resignation requests were rejected for reasons including training bond, legal bond, lack of personnel and the importance of the services within the Maldives National Defence Force. Referring to its 2007 General Survey on the eradication of forced labour, the Committee recalls that, under the Convention, career members of the armed forces who have voluntarily engaged in the armed forces should not be deprived of the right to leave the service in peacetime within a reasonable period, either at specified intervals, or with previous notice. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that members of the armed forced are entitled to leave the service in peacetime within a reasonable period. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of applications to resign submitted to the Minister, the number of refusals and the grounds for refusal. Lastly, it requests the Government to provide a copy of the regulations of the Armed Forces Act applying to resignation.

Article 2(2)(b). Civic obligations. The Committee previously noted the absence of exclusion from the definition of forced labour provided for in section 3(b) of the Employment Act, of any work or service which forms part of the national civic obligations of a person. It requested the Government to indicate the nature of the civic obligations and to provide copies of relevant legislative texts. The Government indicates that in the Maldives, there are no civic obligations imposed by law. In small island communities, it is common for islanders to take care of their environment and of each other when difficult situations arise, but no penalties are imposed in this regard.

Article 2(2)(c). Prison labour. The Committee previously noted that, by virtue of section 3(b) of the Employment Act, any work or service exacted as a consequence of a conviction in a court of law, under the control and supervision of the relevant State authority, is excluded from the definition of forced labour. Recalling that, to be compatible with the Convention, the person convicted should also not be hired or placed at the disposal of private individuals, companies or associations, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the work of convicted persons, indicating whether they may perform labour for private individuals, companies or associations and, if so, under what conditions.

The Government indicates that convicted persons do not perform labour for private individuals, companies or associations, and work only in prisons. All work performed by convicted persons is carried out entirely under the supervision and control of the Government. The products of such work or proceeds from the products of such work go to State operations.

Article 2(2)(d). State of emergency. The Committee previously noted that, by virtue of section 3(b) of the Employment Act, any work or service exacted in cases of emergency is excluded from the definition of forced labour. It requested the Government to indicate the legislation regulating cases of emergency, and to supply information on the guarantees provided to ensure that the power to call up labour in such cases is limited to what is strictly required by the exigencies of the situation and cease as soon as the circumstances that endanger the population or its normal living conditions no longer exist. The Government indicates that article 253 of the Constitution provides that the President can declare a state of emergency in limited circumstances and for a maximum period of 30 days. Article 255 provides for limitations on any declared state of emergency, including the prohibition of forced labour. According to article 258, issues relating to the validity of a declaration of a state of emergency may be brought before the Supreme Court.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments initially made in 2017.

Repetition

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee takes note of Law No. 12/2013 on the Prevention of Human Trafficking (anti-trafficking Act) annexed to the Government’s report. It notes that the Act covers in its definition: sexual exploitation, debt bondage, illegal labour, forced labour, or other forms of servitude (sections 12 and 13). The Act also provides for a penalty of ten years’ imprisonment (section 17), and requires the provision of assistance to victims of trafficking regardless of the legality of their immigration status in the country (section 33). Moreover, a steering committee should be established to coordinate trafficking-related matters (section 60). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in 2016, for the first time, a case of trafficking was prosecuted and three perpetrators were sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. The Committee further notes that in its concluding observations the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) welcomed the anti-trafficking legislation enacted in 2013 and the establishment of a government oversight committee. While noting the forthcoming adoption of the National Action Plan against Human Trafficking and of national guidelines for the identification of and provision of assistance to victims, CEDAW was concerned about delays in establishing shelters for victims of trafficking and the absence of procedures for early victim identification, case management and victim protection. It also reiterated its concerns about emerging forms of internal trafficking and the risk of internal trafficking for women and girls from remote islands who are placed in households in the capital to gain access to higher education opportunities (CEDAW/C/MDV/CO/4-5, paragraph 24). The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the measures taken to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons. It also requests the Government to provide information on any action plan adopted in this regard. The Committee, finally requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions related to trafficking in persons, both for purposes of sexual or labour exploitation, as well as the specific penalties applied to those convicted.

Article 2(1). 1. Freedom of civil servants to leave their service. The Committee notes the absence of information regarding the freedom of civil servants to leave their service. The Committee therefore requests the Government to supply copies of laws and regulations governing civil servants, so that it may examine the conditions under which they can leave their service.

2. Freedom of career members of the armed forces to leave the service. The Committee notes that, by virtue of section 29(a) of Act No. 1/2008 on armed forces members of career military personnel may apply for resignation to the Minister, indicating the reason for resignation. Duties should be performed until the resignation is approved. The Committee also notes that under section 46 of the Act, the Minister shall formulate and implement regulations required to be made pursuant to this Act, including regulations on employment of armed forces. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the criteria applied in accepting or rejecting a resignation submitted by career military members, indicating the provisions applied in this regard.

Article 2(2)(b). Civic obligations. The Committee notes that Chapter 2, paragraph 3(b) of the Employment Act does not exclude from the definition of forced labour any work or service which forms part of the national civic obligations of a person. The Committee also notes the absence of information in the Government’s report regarding the services which might be exacted as normal civic obligations of citizens which are not considered to be forced labour. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the nature of the civic obligations, providing copies of the relevant legislative texts.

Article 2(2)(c). Prison labour. The Committee notes that, by virtue of Chapter 2, paragraph 3(b) of the Employment Act, the term “forced labour” does not include any work or service carried out as a consequence of a conviction in a court of law, and under the supervision of the relevant State authority. However, it notes that the Employment Act does not provide that convicted persons should not be hired or placed at the disposal of private entities, as required under Article 2(2)(c) of the Convention.

The Committee recalls that compulsory work or service exacted from any person as a consequence of a conviction in a court of law is compatible with the Convention only if two cumulative conditions are met, namely: that the said work is carried out under the supervision and control of a public authority and that the said person is not hired to or placed at the disposal of private individuals, companies or associations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the work of convicted persons, indicating whether they may perform labour for private individuals, companies or associations, and if so, under what conditions. The Committee also requests the Government to supply the relevant legislation regulating such a work.

Article 2(2)(d). State of emergency. The Committee observes that the Employment Act, excludes from forced labour any work or service exacted in cases of emergency. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the legislation regulating cases of emergency. It also requests the Government to provide information on the guarantees provided to ensure that the power to call up labour in such cases is limited to what is strictly required by the exigencies of the situation and that work exacted in cases of emergency shall cease as soon as the circumstances that endanger the population or its normal living conditions no longer exist.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its first report.

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee takes note of Law No. 12/2013 on the Prevention of Human Trafficking (anti-trafficking Act) annexed to the Government’s report. It notes that the Act covers in its definition: sexual exploitation, debt bondage, illegal labour, forced labour, or other forms of servitude (sections 12 and 13). The Act also provides for a penalty of ten years’ imprisonment (section 17), and requires the provision of assistance to victims of trafficking regardless of the legality of their immigration status in the country (section 33). Moreover, a steering committee should be established to coordinate trafficking-related matters (section 60). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in 2016, for the first time, a case of trafficking was prosecuted and three perpetrators were sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. The Committee further notes that in its concluding observations the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) welcomed the anti-trafficking legislation enacted in 2013 and the establishment of a government oversight committee. While noting the forthcoming adoption of the National Action Plan against Human Trafficking and of national guidelines for the identification of and provision of assistance to victims, CEDAW was concerned about delays in establishing shelters for victims of trafficking and the absence of procedures for early victim identification, case management and victim protection. It also reiterated its concerns about emerging forms of internal trafficking and the risk of internal trafficking for women and girls from remote islands who are placed in households in the capital to gain access to higher education opportunities (CEDAW/C/MDV/CO/4-5, paragraph 24). The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the measures taken to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons. It also requests the Government to provide information on any action plan adopted in this regard. The Committee, finally requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions related to trafficking in persons, both for purposes of sexual or labour exploitation, as well as the specific penalties applied to those convicted.

Article 2(1). 1. Freedom of civil servants to leave their service. The Committee notes the absence of information regarding the freedom of civil servants to leave their service. The Committee therefore requests the Government to supply copies of laws and regulations governing civil servants, so that it may examine the conditions under which they can leave their service.

2. Freedom of career members of the armed forces to leave the service. The Committee notes that, by virtue of section 29(a) of Act No. 1/2008 on armed forces members of career military personnel may apply for resignation to the Minister, indicating the reason for resignation. Duties should be performed until the resignation is approved. The Committee also notes that under section 46 of the Act, the Minister shall formulate and implement regulations required to be made pursuant to this Act, including regulations on employment of armed forces. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the criteria applied in accepting or rejecting a resignation submitted by career military members, indicating the provisions applied in this regard.

Article 2(2)(b). Civic obligations. The Committee notes that Chapter 2, paragraph 3(b) of the Employment Act does not exclude from the definition of forced labour any work or service which forms part of the national civic obligations of a person. The Committee also notes the absence of information in the Government’s report regarding the services which might be exacted as normal civic obligations of citizens which are not considered to be forced labour. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the nature of the civic obligations, providing copies of the relevant legislative texts.

Article 2(2)(c). Prison labour. The Committee notes that, by virtue of Chapter 2, paragraph 3(b) of the Employment Act, the term “forced labour” does not include any work or service carried out as a consequence of a conviction in a court of law, and under the supervision of the relevant State authority. However, it notes that the Employment Act does not provide that convicted persons should not be hired or placed at the disposal of private entities, as required under Article 2(2)(c) of the Convention.

The Committee recalls that compulsory work or service exacted from any person as a consequence of a conviction in a court of law is compatible with the Convention only if two cumulative conditions are met, namely: that the said work is carried out under the supervision and control of a public authority and that the said person is not hired to or placed at the disposal of private individuals, companies or associations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the work of convicted persons, indicating whether they may perform labour for private individuals, companies or associations, and if so, under what conditions. The Committee also requests the Government to supply the relevant legislation regulating such a work.

Article 2(2)(d). State of emergency. The Committee observes that the Employment Act, excludes from forced labour any work or service exacted in cases of emergency. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the legislation regulating cases of emergency. It also requests the Government to provide information on the guarantees provided to ensure that the power to call up labour in such cases is limited to what is strictly required by the exigencies of the situation and that work exacted in cases of emergency shall cease as soon as the circumstances that endanger the population or its normal living conditions no longer exist.