An employee works at a textile factory in Yuli County of Bayan Gol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, August 24, 2020. Photo: Xinhua

The so-called "Xinjiang victims database" cited by the International Trade Union Confederation in the annual report released by the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations of the International Labor Organization (ILO), is a tool used by anti-China forces to smear Xinjiang and attack China, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Monday noting that there is no employment discrimination against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

According to Reuters, an ILO committee has expressed "deep concern" about China's policies in its far-western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, calling them "discriminatory" and asking Beijing to bring its employment policy into line with global standards. 

Wang said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of workers' rights and interests, protects the equal right to employment of workers of all ethnic groups, and ensures their equal right to participate in economic and social life and enjoy the achievements of economic and social development.

The Chinese government actively undertakes its international obligations and has conducted fruitful cooperation with the ILO over the years, ratifying 26 international labour conventions, Wang noted.

In 2005, China ratified the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention which was formally adopted in 1958, Wang added, noting that laws and regulations in China, including the Labor Law and the Employment Promotion Law, all clearly require equal employment for workers of all ethnic groups and the elimination of employment discrimination.

Wang stressed that the conventions have been effectively implemented in China and there is no employment discrimination against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

"Some comments and recommendations of the Committee are not objective or fair. The Chinese government regrets that its statement in reply is not fully accepted by the Committee and will maintain communication with ILO on the report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations," Wang said.