Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Suriname (Ratification: 1976)
Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 - Suriname (Ratification: 2019)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

The Committee welcomes the ratification by Suriname of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, and takes due note of the Government’s first report on this instrument.

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention, and Article 1(1) of the Protocol. Effective measures to combat forced labour. National policy and systematic action. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that a National Action Plan (NAP) against trafficking in persons was adopted for the periods 2021–22, and 2022–23 and that the lack of funding has prevented the Inter-departmental working group on trafficking in persons from implementing the activities envisaged in the NAP. The Committee requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure a systematic action against trafficking in persons, including by providing the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons with the necessary resources to perform its functions. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the actions taken under the National Action Plan against Trafficking as well as on any evaluation of its implementation. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to combat other forms of forced labour.

Article 25 of the Convention and Article 1(3) of the Protocol.Prosecution and application of effective sanctions. The Committee previously noted that section 334 of the Penal Code prescribes penalties of imprisonment of up to nine years for trafficking in persons for both labour and sexual exploitation. It notes that section 334a also prescribes penalties of imprisonment of up to 15 years for participating directly or indirectly in slave trade. The Government indicates that three government officials have been prosecuted for suspected complicity in trafficking in persons. It adds that the Police initiated eight investigations for trafficking in persons (six for sex exploitation and two for labour exploitation), compared to six investigations in 2020.

The Committee further notes that the Trafficking in Persons Unit (TIP Unit), established within the Police, has put in place a 24-hour anti-trafficking hotline that operates in Dutch, English and Sranan Tongo. The TIP-Unit has also re-introduced trafficking screening tools to identify victims from incoming international flights. According to the Fourth periodic report submitted by Suriname to the UN Human Rights Committee in 2022, the number of reported cases of trafficking in persons in the country’s remote rainforest, where there is limited government presence, has increased (CCPR/C/SUR/4).

The Committee requests the Government to continue to take measures to enhance the capacities of the police, migration officers and prosecutors for the identification and investigation of forced labour cases, including in remote areas. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the number of on-going and concluded investigations, prosecutions, and convictions handed down under sections 334 (trafficking in persons) and 334a (slave trade) of the Criminal Code.

Article 2 of the Protocol. Measures of Prevention. Clauses (a) and (b). Education and awareness raising. The Committee notes that the Government has developed and disseminated information material on forced labour in different languages. It notes from the 2022 report submitted by Suriname to the UN Human Rights Committee that the Government has carried out awareness-raising programs on trafficking in persons in Maroon communities in the local languages of those communities (CCPR/C/SUR/4 paragraph 72). It further notes that, according to the ILO Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Suriname for the period 2023–26, stakeholders have expressed concern about the lack of awareness among employers, workers’ organizations, and Government entities on risks and good practices concerning recruitment of migrant workers. The Committee requests the Government provide information on the measures taken to guide and support private sector s to prevent and mitigate the risks of forced labour in their operations, as requested under Article 2(b) of the Protocol.

Clauses (c) and (d). Protection of migrant workers from abusive and fraudulent practices. The Committee notes that under the 2017 Private Employment Agencies Act, private employment agencies are prohibited from charging fees from workers. The Act also requires private employment agencies to inform temporary workers on the nature of the position offered and the conditions of employment. The Committee notes that, under the Labour Inspection Act, labour inspectors are entrusted with supervising and enforcing the observance of legal regulations regarding conditions of employment, and reporting to the competent authorities abuses and faults not covered by the existing legislation. In this regard, the Government indicates that labour inspection services receive training for identifying situations of forced labour and monitoring private employment agencies to prevent fraudulent recruitment practices.

The Committee further notes that the DWCP highlights the increasing inflow of foreign migrant workers who stay in the country in an irregular situation. Within the framework of the DWCP, the Government and social partners shall work together to strengthen labour migration governance by addressing incoherencies in the existing legal and policy framework concerning labour migration.

The Committee encourages the Government to continue taking measures to protect migrant workers from abusive and fraudulent recruitment practices that could lead to situations of forced labour. Please provide information on the monitoring of their recruitment, including through private employment agencies, and on the results of such monitoring. The Committee requests the Government to provide any reports of abuses and faults submitted by labour inspectors; the Committee also requests the Government to indicate measures taken to inform migrant workers about their labour rights and the different grievance mechanisms available to these workers.

Article 3 of the Protocol. Protection of victims. The Government indicates that a protocol for a first response to the victims of trafficking was adopted, the application of which has resulted in increased efforts to identify victims. It adds that government agencies do not have victims’ assistance funds specifically allocated, but that resources can be made available from the general budget as needed. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that assistance to the victims is not conditional on the victims’ collaboration with law enforcement entities nor is it limited to a specific duration (except for shelters). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific protection and rehabilitation provided to victims of trafficking in persons as well as victims of other forms of forced labour. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of victims (disaggregated by gender and age) who have received assistance and/or benefited from rehabilitation measures.

Article 4(1). Access to appropriate and effective remedies. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there is no compensation available for victims of forced labour. The Committee requests the Government to take appropriate measures to ensure that compensation is available for victims of forced labour in the framework of civil or criminal judicial proceedings or by any other means, and to provide information on the progress made in this regard.

The Committee reminds the Government that it may avail itself of ILO technical assistance in relation to the implementation of the Convention as supplemented by the Protocol of 2014.

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

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. 1. Legal framework and law enforcement. The Committee notes that section 334 of the 2015 Penal Code prescribes penalties for trafficking in persons for both labour and sexual exploitation, from imprisonment of up to nine years and a fine of up to 1,000,000 Surinamese Dollars (approximately US$134,000). The Penal Code provides for higher penalties in aggravating circumstances, with the highest penalty being imprisonment of up to 24 years, if the act results in death. The Committee also notes from the 2018 concluding observations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) the establishment of: (i) the Trafficking in Persons Unit in the police force to investigate cases of trafficking in persons; (ii) the Trafficking in Persons Desk in the Public Prosecutor’s Department; and (iii) the Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons within the Ministry of Justice and Police (CEDAW/C/SUR/CO/4-6, paragraph 28). The Committee notes from the same report that CEDAW raises concern at the limited capacity and responsiveness of the institutions created to monitor compliance with anti-trafficking laws, particularly in the interior of the country (paragraph 28). In this respect, the Committee noted, in its direct request on the application of the Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), the training of district commissioners, immigration officials, and labour inspectors in identifying victims of trafficking. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including the allocation of adequate human, material and financial resources to the dedicated Government entities, and to continue to provide information on the training provided to the law enforcement officers working in this area. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 334 of the Penal Code, including the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions, and to specify the penalties imposed.

2. Institutional framework. The Committee notes that, according to the 2018 concluding observations of CEDAW, the Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons developed the National Strategy and Action Plan to combat trafficking in persons, which were adopted in 2014 (paragraphs 4 and 28). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any measures adopted by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, particularly regarding the implementation of the national strategy and action plan to combat trafficking in persons. It also requests the Government to provide copies of the National Strategy and Action Plan.

3. Assistance and protection for victims. The Committee refers to its direct request on the application of Convention No. 182, in which it notes the Government’s reference to an improved referral system between the criminal law enforcement authorities and the social services, and the provision of protection and support to victims of child labour and prostitution. The Committee also notes the observations made in 2016 by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/SUR/CO/3-4, paragraph 21), and in 2018 by CEDAW (CEDAW/C/SUR/CO/4-6, paragraph 28) concerning doubts on the adequate staffing and funding of shelters, and the lack of information on the shelters available and the services provided by them. The Committee requests the Government to provide information regarding the protection of victims of trafficking in persons, including the number of victims identified, the types of assistance and services provided to them and the number who have benefited from such assistance and services.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee has taken note of the modifications to the Constitution promulgated by law of 8 April 1992, the text of which was communicated by the Government.

The Committee requests the Government to provide with its next report a copy of any Act adopted under article 177, paragraphs 2 and 4, of the Constitution.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

1. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government's indications that under the Civil Servants Act, employment is terminated within two months on the request of the person concerned, and that similar provisions govern the position of career members of the armed forces, except for special categories of personnel, such as military pilots and military conscripts signing voluntarily for an extra period of service, where longer periods of notice apply in accordance with the contract.

The Committee notes the provisions concerning periods of service of volunteers contained in the Government Order of 5 August 1981, issued under the Military Service Act, a copy of which was provided by the Government. The Committee hopes that the Government will also supply the texts governing the resignation of military pilots, so that it can ascertain whether the legislation in question is consistent with the Convention.

2. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Decree No. E-5 of 5 November 1980 respecting the registration of unemployed persons requires unemployed persons to register at the District Office, subject to fines or imprisonment, and asked the Government to provide information on the practical application of the Decree.

The Committee notes from the Government's report that this Decree has not come into force. The Committee requests the Government to provide in future reports information on any change of situation with respect to the Decree.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

1. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that under the Civil Servants Act, employment is terminated within two months on the request of the person concerned, and that similar provisions govern the position of career members of the armed forces, except for special categories of personnel, such as military pilots and military conscripts signing voluntarily for an extra period of service, where longer periods of notice apply in accordance with the contract. The Committee requested the Government to supply the texts of the provisions referred to. The Committee noted the Government's statement in its report for the period July 1984 to July 1985 that the matter was at a stage of development and that it is considered as classified. In view of the Government's repeated indications in its previous reports that the information would be communicated as soon as possible, the Committee trusts that the Government's next report will contain full information on this matter so as to enable the Committee to ascertain the conformity of relevant legislation with the Convention.

2. In its previous comment, the Committee noted Decree E-5 dated 5 November 1980 respecting the registration of unemployed persons. It noted from the provisions of this Decree that unemployed persons have to register at the District Office and that failure to do so may be punished with fines or imprisonment. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the practical application of the Decree indicating in particular any further obligations of unemployed persons following their registration pursuant to the Decree.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee notes with satisfaction that the Act laying down principles concerning the supervision of detainees and the management and superintendence of penitentiaries and houses of detention (GB. 1979, No. 21) entered into force on 1 October 1988. Under section 23 of the Act, work for private individuals, companies or associations, both inside and outside the penal institution, is only to take place if the detainee offers himself voluntarily for it, and only against payment to the State of the wages usual for the kind of work outside prison. Under section 24, wages to be granted to the detainee are to be fixed by the Minister, and in fixing the wage for work outside the institution, account is to be taken of the remuneration paid by the employer to the State for the work performed by the detainee.