Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

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 laws and regulations”. It also noted that Act No. 2007/003 of 13 July 2007 institutes a national service for participation in development, which 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 on 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 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 requested 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.

Noting the Government’s indication in its latest report that this information will be provided later, the Committee hopes that the Government’s next report will contain the information requested.

With reference to section 2(5)(b) of the Labour Code, the Committee asks the Government to provide a copy of any other texts referring to the requirement for citizens to perform work in the general interest, including work performed in the interest of village communities or village chiefs. Please also provide a copy of the regulations giving effect to the Act.

Articles 1(1) and 2(1). 1. Freedom of members of the armed services to leave the service of the State. In its previous direct request, the Committee referred to sections 53 and 55 of Act No. 80/12 of 14 July 1980 issuing the general conditions of service of members of the armed forces, under the terms of which 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 hopes that, as it has undertaken to do, the Government will be able to provide information on any applications to resign by career members of the armed forces submitted to the competent authorities, cases in which those authorities have refused such applications and the reasons for such refusal, if any.

2. Trafficking in persons. The Committee notes with regret that the Government has not provided any information in reply to its previous requests. The Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the measures taken to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, and particularly the trafficking of women from Cameroon for sexual exploitation abroad. It requests the Government to provide information on the punishment of persons engaging 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 for them, as well as the difficulties encountered by the public authorities in preventing and combating trafficking in persons, and particularly the trafficking of women for sexual exploitation purposes.