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

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Seychelles (Ratification: 1978)

1. Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. In previous comments the Committee referred to sections 19, 20 and 22(e) of the Local Trading Vessels Ordinance, 1951, under which seamen who desert their ships are liable to imprisonment (involving, under section 39 of the Prisons Act, Cap. 37, an obligation to work), as well as to forcible return on board ship, and seamen who combine for the purpose of disobeying commands or who neglect their responsibilities or hinder the navigation of the ship may also suffer imprisonment.

The Government having indicated in its report for the period ending 30 June 1985 that it would shortly be revising all the Laws and that it had taken note of the inconsistency referred to in the direct request, the Committee expressed the hope that the Government, in the course of its impending revision of all the Laws of Seychelles would give consideration to bringing the Merchant Shipping legislation into conformity with the Convention.

The Committee notes the Government's information in its latest report that a review of the Local Trading Vessels Ordinance, 1951, is under way and that these provisions have not been applied in recent years.

The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to report that the appropriate amendments have been adopted so as to bring the Merchant Shipping legislation into conformity with the Convention as well as with the indicated practice.

2. The Committee would appreciate the Government providing with its next report a copy of the National Youth Service Act No. 33 of 1980, with subsequent amendments, as well as any recent information on the application in practice of the Act.