Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

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

The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of Workers’ Unions of Mali (CSTM), transmitted with the Government’s report.

Article 1(b) of the Convention. Work or service exacted for the purpose of participation in economic development. The Committee previously requested the Government to amend Act No. 2016-038 of 7 July 2016 introducing national service for young persons (SNJ) and its implementing decree, which provide that national service is compulsory and includes both military activities and activities contributing to the country’s economic development. The Committee also requested the Government to provide information on “the legislation regarding civic obligations” to which section L6(2) of the Labour Code refers when it states that forced or compulsory labour does not include “work in the public interest, as defined by the legislation on civic obligations”.

In its report, the Government reiterates its statement that national service for young persons is not compulsory in any way and is essentially of a military nature. The Committee notes that in its observations, the CSTM considers national service to be voluntary, whereas the law indicates that it is compulsory. The Committee therefore encourages the Government to take the necessary steps tobring the legislation into line with the practice indicated such that the voluntary nature of national service for young people is clearly reflected and thereby to ensure the full conformity of the legislation both with Article 1(b) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this regard and to continue to provide information on the implementation of national service for young people in practice. Furthermore, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate which are the laws on civic obligations to which section L6(2) of the Labour Code refers under which work in the public interest could be imposed.