Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Mauritania (Ratification: 1961)
Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 - Mauritania (Ratification: 2016)

Article 2, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention. For many years, the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to Decree No. 70-153 of 23 May 1970 issuing the internal rules of prison establishments, of which certain provisions would allow for the possibility of hiring prison labour to private individuals. The Government had previously indicated its intention to amend this Decree. In its last report, the Government indicates that this consists of internal hiring. The Committee recalls that, under the terms of this provision of the Convention, any work or service exacted from any person as a consequence of a conviction in a court of law is not considered to be forced labour only where the said work is carried out under the supervision and control of a public authority and that the said person is not hired to or placed at the disposal of private individuals, companies or associations. The Committee accordingly hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to amend the above Decree with a view to avoiding any ambiguity and bringing the national legislation into conformity with the Convention.