Forced Labour

Prohibition on Forced and Compulsory Labour

Forced Labour is prohibited under the Constitution, Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2008 and Penal Code.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Act defines forced labour as labour or services obtained or maintained through threats, the use of force, intimidation or other forms of coercion or physical restraint.

Source: §2 & 22 of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, 2008; §263 of the Penal Code, 1931

Freedom to Change Jobs and Right to Quit

Workers have the right to change jobs after serving due notice on their employer.

For more information on this, please refer to the section on employment security.

Inhumane Working Conditions

Working time may be extended beyond normal working hours of 48 hours in a week (for both general and domestic workers) and 60 hours in a week (for watchpersons). The law does not clearly specify the limits to overtime. In accordance with the Constitution, a person in employment has the right to decent working conditions.

Source: §3, 4(1) & 6 of the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment (General) Order, 2011 (amended in 2012)