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

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Indonesia (Ratification: 1950)

The Committee notes the Government's report.

In previous comments the Committee, referring to the question of free choice of work for contract labourers, after expiration of their contracts, had noted Ministerial Decision No. 12/MEN/BP/84 of 24 January 1984 which provides for various protective measures for contract labourers in Sumatra, such as the obligation of suppliers of plantation labour to bear all costs for returning workers to their homes. The Committee also noted various ministerial regulations providing guidelines for the interregions employment (AKAD). The Committee noted that under the Ministerial Decision, AKAD workers should be free to decide upon expiration of their contracts to stay on or to return to their places of origin. However, under the guidelines, labourers are to be persuaded to stay in the regions rather than to go back to their places of origin.

The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the guidelines as concerns freedom of workers to return to their places of origin, and, in particular, on the application of the provisions of Ministerial Decision of 1984 concerning transportation costs.

The Committee also requests the Government to supply information more generally on measures taken to supervise the activities of labour contractors, to investigate allegations of forced labour and to ensure that all illegal exaction of work is strictly punished. The Committee would appreciate if the Government would provide information on the activities of the labour inspectorate in this regard.