Xinjiang party chief meets UN labour group as China seeks to confront forced labour claims
- Ma Xingrui tells a delegation from the International Labour Organization that accusations of human rights abuses are the result of rumours
- Analysts say Beijing may be trying to be more active in its response to criticisms of its treatment of mainly Muslim minorities in the region
Analyst said the meeting marked a shift away from “passively responding” to human rights criticisms on Xinjiang, and may pave the way for a field study by the International Labour Organization.
Xinjiang’s party chief Ma Xingrui told Corinne Vargha, the head of the ILO’s international labour standards department, that accusations of forced labour were the result of “reckless” rumours and ignored the region’s efforts to safeguard people’s rights, the official Xinjiang Daily reported.
“We consider employment to be the most crucial aspect of people’s livelihoods, [and we have] vigorously implemented strategies prioritising employment, continuously expanding employment opportunities, actively assisting people of all ethnic groups in gaining employment and increasing income,” Ma said.
Ma said he hoped the members of the ILO delegation could “uphold a fair and objective attitude” towards the region’s policies.
The UN special agency acknowledged the visit but provided few details.
“The ILO conducted a mission to hold technical discussions about the implementation in China’s laws and practice of ratified international labour conventions concerning discrimination in employment and occupation, as well as forced labour,” it said in a statement.
The ILO added that its mandate includes providing “technical advisory services” on instituting labour conventions, including one ratified by China in 2006 governing employment discrimination and another in 2022 involving forced labour, both of which went into force last month.
In February 2022, the ILO expressed “deep concern” over “discriminatory” labour practices in Xinjiang – including “political re-education” through vocational training that targeted Uygurs and other mainly Muslim minorities – and urged China to upgrade its labour practices in line with international standards.
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China claims improved living standards and ethnic equality in Xinjiang while ignoring allegations
China has strongly denied that it is committing human rights abuses in the region and says its policies are designed to counter extremism and terrorism.
Zhu Yongbiao, a professor at the School of Politics and International Relations at Lanzhou University, said the meeting signalled China’s increased confidence in rebutting criticisms of its policies in Xinjiang.
“Instead of passively responding to [allegations], now it wants to actively engage in communication and dialogue,” said Zhu.
The last UN visit to Xinjiang was carried out by Michelle Bachelet, the former human rights commissioner.
She concluded that Beijing’s actions “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity” – an accusation Beijing rejected.
Barry Sautman, an emeritus professor from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said the meeting was “likely a direct response” to forced labour accusations.
“Ma’s remarks after the meeting appear to be an invitation to the ILO to carry out a field study on labour conditions in the region,” he said.
He added that an investigation may try to determine whether workers face reprisals if they do not accept employment and whether they are allowed to resign from their jobs.
Sautman said that for an investigation to be effective, ILO officials would need unrestricted access to the region and to workers and that they should put aside any preconceived ideas or opinions that have been shaped by media reports.
Additional reporting by Finbarr Bermingham
