Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

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

In its previous comments, the Committee had referred to section 2 of Act No. 1253 (Youth Labour Army), which provides that "all young persons who are under a duty to perform active military service and who are not called upon to perform that service in regular units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces shall be called up into the Youth Labour Army". Section 4 of the Act provides for the performance of productive agricultural work and work of any kind that the revolutionary Government may determine. The Committee had observed that from the tenor of the said provision being called-up into the Youth Labour Army does not appear to depend on the young recruit's wishes.

The Committee had also taken note of the comments submitted by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) that members of the Youth Labour Army are employed in tasks for economic development.

On this point, the Government indicated that the youth recruited for active military service are given the oppportunity to express their desire to enter the Youth Labour Army; if they do not wish to do so, they may do their military service in regular units and that during such service the young person can acquire a profession or trade. In its latest report, the Government states that young workers who are not well-off economically are given the opportunity to join the Youth Labour Army, where they receive a salary proportional to the quality and quantity of the work performed in accordance with the schedule of salaries in force in the country for the same work. The Government further indicates that the young persons are assigned in one unit near the place where they live and the activities performed are to the direct interest of the community for the harvest of coffee, fruit, vegetables and forest work.

The Committee also takes note that its observation has been submitted by the Government to the National Assembly of People's Power for consideration.

The Committee trusts that the Government will take the necessary measures to modify the provisions of Act No. 1253 in the manner that it will be clearly established that entry into the Youth Labour Army is voluntary. The Committee likewise requests the Government to communicate information relating to the remuneration received by young workers performing the work mentioned in the Government's report who are in the Youth Labour Army and the conditions of work in the same.