Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Maldives (Ratification: 2013)

Supply of legislation. Compulsory prison labour. In order to assess the extent to which national legislation is in conformity with the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the English text of the Prisons and Parole Act of 2013, and to indicate the provisions regulating work in prisons.

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Imposition of prison sentences involving the obligation to work as a punishment for expressing certain political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. Communication of texts. The Committee notes the legislative texts attached to the Government’s report, namely: the Public Service Media Act No. 9/2015, the Broadcasting Act No. 16/2010, the Political Parties Act No. 4/2013, the Associations Act No. 1/2003 and the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act No. 1/2013. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the English text of the Political Parties Act No. 4/2013. It also requests the Government to provide a copy of the English text of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2015, as amended. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether there have been any legislative changes in the field of press and other media, political parties and associations, as well as assemblies, meetings and demonstrations.

Article 1(c). Disciplinary measures applicable to seafarers. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide a copy of the law governing the conditions of employment of seafarers and the disciplinary sanctions that might be applied to them.

The Government indicates in its report that the Maldives Maritime Navigation Act No. 69/78 was amended by Act No. 35/2015. It further indicates that according to Act No. 35/2015, the power to draw up regulations relating to maritime labour was delegated to the Minister. It states that no regulations have yet been drawn up. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide a copy of the Maldives Maritime Navigation Act No. 69/78 as amended, as well as a copy of any regulations governing disciplinary sanctions that may apply to seafarers.