Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

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

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. National service obligations. The Committee previously noted that certain provisions of the National Service Act 1971 permit compulsory national service of a non-military character. Section 3 of the National Service Act establishes the Zambia National Service, with the function of, inter alia, training citizens to serve the Republic and the employment of Service members in tasks of national importance. Section 7 provides that citizens between 18 and 35 shall be liable to have their name in the National Service register and may be called upon to serve. The Government had repeatedly indicated that, for many years, there had been no compulsion in practice to serve in the National Service or to enlist for service by compulsion. In this regard, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that measures would be taken to repeal the National Service Act.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the repeal of the National Service Act has not yet been passed by Parliament. The Committee once again recalls that Article 2(2)(a) of the Convention only permits compulsory work exacted by virtue of compulsory military service laws if this work is of a purely military character. Therefore, while noting the Government’s indication that the compulsory national service provisions are not used in practice, the Committee reiterates its hope that the National Service Act, 1971, will soon be repealed to achieve legislative conformity with the Convention and the indicated practice.