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

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

1. Article 1(a) of the Convention. In its earlier 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 noted the indication in the Government's report of 1994 that no provisions or regulations had been made under section 39 of the Royal Decree. It would be grateful if the Government would supply, in its next report, information on practical application of section 39, including information on any penalties imposed for violation of its provisions and on any court decisions defining or illustrating its scope.

2. The Committee notes the Government's statement in the report received in September 1997 that there is no general Act in the country which combines the penalties applied in the case of what is considered to be a crime. The Government indicates, however, that penalties are provided for in the various regulations to be applied to anyone violating their provisions. The Committee requests the Government to supply, with its next report, copies of these regulations, as well as copies of any rules or regulations governing prison labour.