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

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Dominica (Ratification: 1983)

Article 1(b). For several years, the Committee noted that under section 49(1) of the Small Charges Act any person being able wholly or in part to maintain himself by work or by other means, and wilfully refusing or neglecting so to do, shall be deemed an idle and disorderly person and may be imprisoned for a term of up to one month. The Committee notes the Government's indication in its report that there has been no amendment to or repeal of section 49(1). Since the Government has reported for many years that this provision of the Act has never been applied, the Committee hopes that the necessary steps will be taken to amend or repeal the provision so as to bring national law on this matter into conformity with practice and the requirements of Convention No. 105 as well as Convention No. 29, also ratified by Dominica. Pending such amendment or repeal, the Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information on the practical application of section 49(1) of the Small Charges Act.