Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

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

1. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the Government's indication in its report covering the period ending 30 June 1994 that Royal Decree No. 12/2/23/2639 of 21 June 1956 was repealed by section 210 of the Labour Code enacted on 3 November 1969 in Royal Decree No. M/21.

2. In its previous comments, the Committee noted Royal Decree No. A/90 of 1 March 1992 and requested the Government to supply the text of any regulations issued under section 39 of the Decree, concerning obligations of publishers and information media, and particularly provisions respecting the penalties applicable in the event of violations. The Committee notes the indication in the Government's report that no provisions or regulations have been made under section 39 of the Royal Decree. According to section 2 of the rules concerning the promulgation of this Decree new provisions or regulations will be promulgated only when existing provisions are not in conformity with those of the Basic System of Government provided for in the Decree.

The Committee requests the Government to supply the texts of any rules or regulations which are now in force and which have a bearing on the provision of section 39 of the Decree.

3. The Committee again requests the Government to supply a copy of the Penal Code. The Committee would also ask the Government to supply copies of any rules or regulations governing prison labour.