Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Chad (Ratification: 1960)

1. The Committee has emphasized on several occasions the need to repeal the provisions of section 982 of the General Tax Code which allowed the authorities to impose labour for public communities on taxpayers who had not paid the civic tax. The Committee notes with satisfaction that section 982 of the General Tax Code was repealed by Act No. 09//PR/2006 of 10 March 2006 adopting the General State Budget for 2006.

2. Article 2, paragraph 2(a), of the Convention. Work in the general interest imposed in the context of compulsory military service. The Committee notes Ordinance No. 001/PCE/CEDNACVG/91 reorganizing the armed forces, a copy of which was provided by the Government. It notes that military service is compulsory for every citizen of Chad. Under section 14 of the Ordinance, conscripts who are fit for service are classified into two categories: the first, the size of which is determined each year by decree, is incorporated and compelled to perform active service; the second remains at the disposal of the military authorities for two years and may be called up to perform work in the general interest by order of the Government. The Committee notes that similar provisions were contained in Ordinance No. 2 of 1961 on the organization and recruitment of the armed forces of the Republic, on which it commented for many years. Indeed, these provisions are not compatible with Article 2, paragraph 2(a), of the Convention, under which, to be excluded from the scope of the Convention, any work or service exacted in virtue of compulsory military service laws must be of a purely military character. The Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to bring the provisions of section 14 of the Ordinance of 1991 reorganizing the armed forces and, as appropriate, any decrees issued thereunder, into conformity with the Convention.

3. Article 2, paragraph 2(c). For many years, the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to the need to amend or repeal section 2 of Act No. 14 of 13 November 1959 authorizing the Government to take administrative measures for the relocation, internment or expulsion of persons whose activities constitute a danger for public order and security, under which persons convicted of penal offences involving prohibition of residence may be used for work in the public interest for a period, the duration of which is to be determined by order of the Prime Minister. This provision would allow the administrative authorities to impose work on persons subject to a prohibition of residence once they have completed their sentence. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided any information in this respect in its last report and that this provision is still in force. It hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures without further delay to amend or repeal section 2 of Act No. 14 of 13 November 1959 referred to above.