Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Bangladesh (Ratification: 1972)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

1. Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee observed that under sections 101 and 102 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1923, seamen could be forcibly conveyed on board ship to perform their duties, and under sections 100 and 103(ii), (iii) and (v) various disciplinary offences by seamen, concerning cases where life, health or safety are not endangered, were punishable with imprisonment which may involve an obligation to work. The Committee noted that the Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1983, which has repealed the 1923 Act, again provided in sections 198 and 199 for the forcible conveyance of seamen on board ship to perform their duties, and in sections 196, 197 and 200(iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) for the punishment, with imprisonment that may involve an obligation to work, of various disciplinary offences in cases where life, safety or health are not endangered. The Committee requested the Government to review the Ordinance adopted in 1983 and to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to bring it into conformity with the Convention. In its latest report, the Government indicates that the Ordinance is under process for further amendment and a copy would be sent as and when it is amended. The Committee hopes that the amendment takes the above-mentioned points into consideration and that the Government will soon be in a position to indicate that the necessary action has been taken to bring the Ordinance into conformity with the Convention. 2. A certain number of other legislative texts which call for comment under Article 1(a), (c) and (d) of the Convention are again dealt with in a request addressed directly to the Government.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.