Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

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

Article 2(2)(b) and (e) of the Convention. Work in the general interest forming part of civic obligations. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, under section 2(5)(b) of the Labour Code of 1992, the term “forced or compulsory labour” does not include “any work or service in the general interest forming part of the civic obligations of citizens as defined by the laws and regulations”. It requested the Government to specify the nature of the work or services which might be considered as work or services in the general interest which form part of normal civic obligations.

The Government indicates in its report that work or services of general interest could be defined in the context of the Bill instituting national civic service. The Committee notes that Act No. 2007/003 of 13 July 2007 instituting the national service for participation in development has since been adopted. It observes that this service includes a compulsory period and a voluntary period. The compulsory period, of a duration of 60 days, concerns young persons between 17 and 21 years of age and covers: civic training and physical, sporting and cultural education; the consolidation of schooling; training for first aid and civil protection; and awareness raising on the protection of the environment. The voluntary period, consisting of a period of six months which may be renewed, includes the performance of work in the general interest. The Committee also notes that the arrangements and conditions for the participation and supervision of conscripts and volunteers for this service shall be determined by decree of the President of the Republic. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the effect given in practice to this Act, including on the selection of participants for this service, particularly with regard to the voluntary period, and on the organization and the nature of the activities undertaken during the period of compulsory training. Please also provide a copy of the regulations issued under the Act.

The Committee would also be grateful if the Government would provide a copy of any other text referring to the obligation of citizens to perform work in the general interest, including work performed in the interest of the village community or the village chief.

Freedom of members of the armed services to leave the service of the State. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that cases of applications to resign made to the competent authorities by members of the armed services have not been brought to its knowledge. In so far as, under sections 53 and 55 of Act No. 80/12 of 14 July 1980 issuing the general status of members of the armed forces, career members of the armed forces serving as officers who are recruited by competition sign a contract without limit of time and their resignation may be accepted only on exceptional grounds, the Committee requests the Government to continue providing information in future reports on any applications for resignation made by career members of the armed forces to the competent authorities, cases in which the latter authorities refuse such resignation and, where appropriate, the reasons given for such refusal.

Trafficking in persons. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the measures adopted to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, and particularly trafficking of women from Cameroon for sexual exploitation. Please provide information on the penalization of persons engaged in trafficking in persons, the prosecutions initiated against them, the manner in which the victims of trafficking are encouraged to turn to the authorities and the protection provided to them, as well as the difficulties encountered by the public authorities in preventing and combating trafficking in persons.