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

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Saudi Arabia (Ratification: 1978)

Impact of compulsory prison labour on the application of the Convention. The Committee notes that pursuant to section 16 of the Prison and Detention Act of 1977, the employment of prisoners shall be regulated in accordance with the rules established by the Ministry of Interior in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The Committee also notes that pursuant to sections 16, 20 and 21 to 27 of the Regulations on the Employment of Prisoners in Factories and Projects 2007, prisoners shall join the employment programme upon their consent, and according to their personal choice. The Committee observes however that Regulations on the Employment of Prisoners in Factories apply to prisoners who willingly express their consent to work for private entities. In order to ascertain the voluntary character of prison labour, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the work of prisoners is organized within the public penitentiary. Please also provide a copy of the most updated legislation on the prison rules.