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

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

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

1. Article 1(a) of the Convention. The Committee noted the entry into force on 6 January 1986 of the new Constitution which guarantees fundamental rights, in particular the right to freedom of expression (article 15), the right to assemble and to associate (article 17), and provides for the free establishment of political parties, subject to their being registered (articles 77 and 79). The Committee noted that under article 95 of the new Constitution any enactment or rule of law in existence immediately before the coming into force of the Constitution, whether derived from the abrogated Constitution or from any other source shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with any provision of the new Constitution, continue in force as if enacted, issued or made under the authority of the Constitution. The Committee referred to its previous comments in which it observed that prison sentences (involving, under Chapter 34, section 34-14, paragraph 1, of the Liberian Code of Laws, an obligation to work) might be imposed in circumstances falling within Article 1(a) of the Convention under section 52(1)(b) of the Penal Law (punishing certain forms of criticism of the Government) and section 216 of the Election Law (punishing participation in activities that seek to continue or revive certain political parties). The Committee requested the Government to state whether the above provisions continue in force and, if so, to indicate the measures taken or contemplated with a view to their repeal. The Committee also requested the Government to provide a copy of the Decree No. 88A of 1985 relating to criticism of the Government. 2. Article 1(c) and (d). In earlier comments the Committee also referred to various provisions of the Maritime Law punishing breaches of labour discipline and of Decree No. 12 of 30 June 1980 prohibiting strikes. In the absence of a reply, the Committee again addressed a direct request on these matters to the Government. 3. In its previous comments concerning Decree No. 12 of 30 June 1980 prohibiting strikes, the Committee noted the Government's statement in its report for 1982-83 that no penalty had been imposed for violation of the Decree and the statement by a Government representative to the Conference Committee in 1984 during the discussion of Convention No. 87 that the ban on strikes was due to be lifted on 26 July 1984. The Committee observed that the Government's report contained no information in this regard. The Committee noted however from the conclusions adopted by the Committee on Freedom of Association concerning Case No. 1219 (in particular the 241st Report of that Committee) that the ban on strikes had not yet been lifted. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on any measures adopted or envisaged in this matter.