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

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

Compulsory nature of prison work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted 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 with their consent, and according to their personal choice. The Committee observed that the regulations apply to prisoners who willingly express their consent to work for private entities and requested further information on the modalities of the work performed by convicted prisoners for the public penitentiary. The Committee notes with regret that the Government has not provided any information on this matter. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to indicate whether there can be compulsory work imposed on prisoners for the benefit of public penitentiaries. Please provide information on any text that regulates such work.