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

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Zambia (Ratification: 1964)

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. 1. National service obligations. In its earlier comments the Committee referred to certain provisions of the National Service Act 1971, concerning compulsory national service. The Committee noted the Government’s repeated statement that there had been no compulsion to serve in the National Service or to enlist for service by compulsion. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication in the report that measures have been taken to repeal the National Service Act 1971, and expresses the hope that the Act will soon be repealed and the legislation will be brought into conformity with the Convention and the indicated practice.

2. Community development schemes. The Committee previously noted that, pursuant to paragraph 20 of the Second Schedule (section 61) of the Local Government Act (No. 22, 1991), schemes for the encouragement of and participation in community development may be prepared and administered by a city, municipal or district council. The Committee also noted the Government’s repeated indications that such schemes, from which communities derive direct benefit, are adopted in consultation with the communities concerned. The Government states in its latest report that the local Government representatives usually organize their communities for community service for the purpose of upgrading their communities on a voluntary basis. While noting these indications, the Committee again requests the Government to provide more detailed information on schemes adopted under Act No. 22, 1991 (Second Schedule) for the encouragement of and participation in community development, including copies of any legal texts establishing such schemes and other relevant documents, in order to enable the Committee to assess their conformity with the Convention.