Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Cuba (Ratification: 1958)

The Committee notes the comments submitted in January 1991 by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), concerning the application of Convention No. 105. A copy of these comments was transmitted to the Government so that it can make the observations that it considers appropriate.

In its allegations, the ICFTU states that many young persons are compelled to work on a massive and regular basis for the purposes of economic development. It refers to the compulsory labour exacted from many young persons aged between 15 and 18 years within the framework of rural high schools and, by way of illustration, refers to a study programme established in 1989 to provide a workforce for the programme to expand fruit production for export, under which 20,000 students under the age of majority were mobilised. It also alleges that members of the Youth Labour Army are employed on economic development activities and that political prisoners are compelled to work despite the fact that under the legislation work for political prisoners is voluntary.

The Committee requests the Government to make its observations on the allegations submitted by the ICFTU.