Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

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 the ages of 18 and 35 shall be liable to have their names in the National Service register and may be called upon to serve. The Committee recalled that Article 2(2)(a) of the Convention only permits compulsory work exacted by virtue of compulsory military service laws if such work or service is of a purely military character. In this regard, it noted the Government’s indication that the National Service Act was under review in order to bring it into conformity with the recent constitutional amendment.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement in its report that the National Service Act is still undergoing revision. The Committee therefore, once again expresses the firm hope that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that the National Service Act, 1971, is amended so as to bring it into conformity with the Convention.