Official: Xinjiang workers protected

Special: Xinjiang

Labor and employment policies in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region are in line with the international labor and human rights standards. In fact, they are fully compliant with the International Labour Organization's guidance, said the head of the legislative affairs commission of the regional legislature.

Xinjiang has passed many laws to protect people's human rights in employment. Inspections of employers have been enforced to absolutely prevent any form of forced labor, Li Juan, director of the legislative affairs commission of the People's Congress of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region's standing committee, said during a news conference on Xinjiang-related issues in Beijing on Friday.

Also, according to regulations covering employment rights protection, all people in Xinjiang, regardless of their gender or religious beliefs, enjoy rights to equal employment and choosing their occupations independently and voluntarily.

Meanwhile, governments at different levels always respect workers' preferences when formulating labor and employment policies, Li said.

"Labor and employment policies in Xinjiang are successful practices of ILO guidance in China's ethnic areas," Li said.

The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, ratified the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, and the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957, at its 34th session, which concluded on Wednesday.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting workers' rights, and is active, serious and responsible in ratifying ILO conventions, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.

Some Western politicians and anti-China forces have been accusing Xinjiang of using "forced labor".

Zhang Xiu, chairman of Tianyun Organic Agriculture Co, said the accusations are irresponsible.

"Xinjiang people, especially those in rural areas, have a strong desire to improve their lives through having jobs. Those who make such accusations have bad intentions. People who actually know about Xinjiang and the Xinjiang people will never believe them," said Zhang, who has been doing business in the region for more than 28 years.

The company now has 260 employees from four ethnic groups, including Uygur and Kazak. Some of them were once herdsmen.

"The employees believe they can build a better future for themselves and their families by working at the company, so they are willing to work hard. They all cherish the job opportunities," Zhang said.