Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Republic of Moldova (Ratification: 1993)

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The Committee notes the observations of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova (CNSM), received on 17 August 2022.

Article 1(b) of the Convention. Mobilizing of labour for purposes of economic development. For many years, the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to the incompatibility with the Convention of certain provisions of the Act on mobilization, No. 1192-XV of 4 July 2002, the Act on the requisitioning of goods and services in the public interest, No. 1352-XV of 11 October 2002, and the Government decision to approve regulations on mobilization at the workplace, No. 751 of 24 June 2003, under which the central and local authorities, as well as military bodies can exact compulsory labour from the population under certain conditions as a means of mobilizing and using labour for purposes of the development of the national economy.

The Committee notes with deep regret that the Government has not provided any information on this point in its report. The Committee further notes that, in its observations, the CNSM points out that the Government should take the necessary measures, as soon as possible, to amend the provisions of the abovementioned acts, to bring them into conformity with the Convention.

The Committee recalls that Article 1(b) requires the abolition of any form of forced or compulsory labour as a means of mobilizing and using labour for purposes of economic development and that, as previously noted section 3(b) of the Law on the requisitioning of goods and services in the public interest clearly provides that one of the aims of such requisitioning is to create conditions for the good functioning of the national economy and public institutions. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures, without delay, to ensure the amendment of the Act on mobilization, No. 1192-XV of 4 July 2002, the Act on the requisitioning of goods and services in the public interest, No. 1352-XV of 11 October 2002, and the Government decision to approve the regulations on mobilization at the workplace, No. 751 of 24 June 2003, in order to bring them into conformity with the Convention.

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