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

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Jamaica (Ratification: 1962)
Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 - Jamaica (Ratification: 2017)

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

Article 1(1) and Article 2(1) and (2)(c), of the Convention. In its earlier comments, the Committee referred to section 155(2) of the Correctional Institution (Adult Correction Centre) Rules of 1991, under which no inmate may be employed in the service of, or for the private benefit of, any person, except with the authority of the Commissioner or in pursuance of special rules. The Government indicated in its 2001 report that, under section 60(b) of the Corrections Act, as amended by the Corrections (Amendment) Act, 1995, the Minister may establish programmes under which persons serving a sentence in a correctional institution may be directed by the Superintendent to undertake work in any company or organization approved by the Commissioner, subject to such provisions as may be prescribed relating to their employment, discipline and control, and such work may be within the centre or institution or outside its limits. The Committee noted the information concerning the functioning of the Correctional Services Production Company (COSPROD), supplied by the Government in 2001 and 2002, as well as the Government’s repeated statement that, under this programme, some inmates had been working under the conditions of a freely accepted employment relationship, with their formal consent and subject to guarantees regarding the payment of normal wages.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement in the report that the Department of Correctional Services under the Ministry of National Security and Justice contemplates no change or deviation in its governing rules or general practices, and that there is no consideration being given to reintroducing forced labour. The Government indicates that inmates who work on farms do so willingly and without coercion.

The Committee reiterates its hope, referring also to the explanations provided in paragraphs 97-101 of its 1979 General Survey on the abolition of forced labour, that on the occasion of a future amendment of the Correctional Institution (Adult Correction Centre) Rules, section 155(2) will be amended so as to ensure that no prisoners may work for private individuals, companies, etc., except where they do so under the conditions of a freely accepted employment relationship, with their formal consent and subject to guarantees regarding the payment of normal wages and social security, etc., in order to bring this provision into conformity with the Convention and the indicated practice. The Committee again requests the Government to provide a copy of any special rules adopted under section 155(2) and to continue to provide information on its application in practice, pending the amendment.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.