Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Sierra Leone (Ratification: 1961)
Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 - Sierra Leone (Ratification: 2021)

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. Compulsory agricultural work. For many years, the Committee has been referring to section 8(h) of the Chiefdom Councils Act (Cap. 61), under which compulsory cultivation may be imposed on “natives”. On numerous occasions, the Government indicated that this legislation would be amended. The Government also indicated that section 8(h) of the Act was not applied in practice and, as it was not in conformity with article 9 of the Constitution, it was unenforceable. While noting this information, the Committee urged the Government to take the necessary measures to formally repeal section 8(h) of the Chiefdom Councils Act.

The Committee takes due note of the Government’s information in its report that the draft Employment Bill provides for the repeal of section 8(h) of the Chiefdom Councils Act, Cap 61. The Government also indicates that though there is no express repeal of section 8(h) of the Chiefdom Councils Act (Cap 61), the issue of communal farming for community purpose is rare due to legislation and rights based campaigns. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the Employment Bill which provides for the repeal of section 8(h) of the Chiefdom Council Act will be adopted in the near future. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard and to transmit a copy of the repealing legislation, once adopted.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.