Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Libya (Ratification: 1961)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments.

1. In its earlier comments the Committee noted the Government's indications that the restrictions placed on the freedom of public servants and members of the armed forces to leave their employment under the provisions relating to resignation contained in section 71 of Act No. 40 of 1974 respecting service in the armed forces and in section 108 of Act No. 55 of 1976 respecting the public service, which are contrary to the Convention, had been submitted to the competent authorities with a view to their modification.

The Committee notes from the Government's latest report received in 1995 that the decision to submit the above-mentioned provisions to the competent authorities for amendment has been confirmed. It therefore trusts that the provisions concerned will now be amended so as to ensure that the various categories of persons in the service of the State are free to leave the service at their own initiative within a reasonable period of time, either at specified intervals or with previous notice. It hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to supply a copy of the provisions adopted to this end.

2. With reference to the discussion which took place in the Conference Committee in June 1992, the Committee recalls the statement made by the Worker members, regarding the freedom of workers to leave their employment, that the information on the situation of Sri Lankan women employed in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya was disquieting. It noted that the Conference Committee expressed the hope that the Government would keep the ILO informed by means of a report containing detailed information. The Committee observes that no information on the subject has been received from the Government so far. It therefore reiterates its request to the Government to supply full and detailed information on this matter, as well as copy of the regulations applicable to domestic workers under section 1(b) of the Labour Code.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1997.]