Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Jamaica (Ratification: 1962)

Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. For a number of years, the Committee has commented on sections 221, 224 and 225(1)(b), (c) and (e) of the 1894 Merchant Shipping Act which provide for the punishment of various disciplinary offences with imprisonment (involving an obligation to perform labour) and for the forceable conveyance of seafarers on board ship to perform their duties. According to the Government, these provisions have been removed from the Jamaica Shipping Bill submitted to Parliament. In its last report received in 1997, the Government indicates that the new Bill will be adopted by the end of the year. The Committee expresses the hope that the Government will soon bring its legislation into conformity with the requirements of the Convention and that it will provide a copy of the new Act.