Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Bahamas (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to previous comments. It must therefore return to its previous observation on the following matters:

Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. In comments made for a number of years, the Committee has referred to sections 128, 130 and 134 of the 1976 Merchant Shipping Act, under which various breaches of labour discipline are punishable with imprisonment (involving an obligation to work) and deserting seafarers may be forcibly returned on board ship; and sections 72 and 73 of the Industrial Relations Act, under which participation in a strike is punishable with imprisonment, involving an obligation to perform labour. The Government has supplied no information concerning amendment of the legislation. The Committee hopes that the necessary measures will be taken, and that the Government will soon be in a position to report concrete action to amend or repeal the above-mentioned provisions. The Committee is once again addressing a more detailed request on the matter directly to the Government.