Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Pakistan (Ratification: 1960)

The Committee notes with regret that no report has been received from the Government. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request:

Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. In its earlier comments, the Committee referred to section 62A of the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969, under which an individual may be arrested by a police officer for contravening section 46A(3) of the Ordinance which provides for the offence of illegal strike and asked the Government to indicate the practical effect of these provisions and to specify what charges and penalties an individual may face once arrested.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that there have been no cases in which any person could be punished with imprisonment for contravening this section. Noting also the Government’s indication that the laws are being revised and that punishment of imprisonment may be removed from the existing framework of law, the Committee requests the Government to continue supplying information on the application in practice of these provisions and on any action taken or contemplated to review them with a view to ensuring the observance of the Convention.

Supply of legislation. The Committee again requests the Government to provide a copy of the Public Safety Act, 1960.