Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

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

Article 1(a), (c) and (d) of the Convention. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government's indication in its report that no prison sentence was imposed during the period covered by the report (1988-90) under sections 134(a), (b) and (c), 145(2) and (5), 146 to 149, 151, 159(a) or 160 of Penal Law 5737-1977. As concerns more specifically section 160 of the Penal Law, under which participation in a strike prohibited under emergency legislation is liable to imprisonment for one year, involving compulsory labour, the Committee notes the Government's renewed statement in its report that there has been no change in its policy and practice as to the implementation of section 160, and it is practically not conceivable that this section be interpreted otherwise than in accordance with the Convention. The Government adds however that consideration shall be given to the remarks of the Committee.

The Committee, referring to its previous comments, in which it expressed the hope that the Government would consider in due course the possibility of bringing the text of section 160 of the Penal Law into conformity with practice indicated and with the Convention, hopes that the Government will provide in its future reports information on any developments in this regard.