Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

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

Article 1(a) of the Convention. 1. The Committee previously noted Royal Decree No. A/90 of 1 March 1992 and requested the Government to supply copies 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. Having 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, the Committee requested 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. In the absence of such information in the Government's latest report, the Committee expresses the hope that the Government will not fail to supply the information requested in its next report.

2. The Committee previously noted the Government's statement that there is no general act in the country which would combine the penalties applied in the case of what is considered to be a crime. It has noted the Government's repeated indication that penalties are provided for in the various regulations to be applied to anyone violating their provisions. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to supply copies of these regulations, as well as copies of any rules or regulations governing prison labour.