A Foreign Ministry spokesman Tuesday criticized a report from the United States about China's labor law enforcement, saying the country "has worked effectively" to protect the legitimate interests and rights of Chinese workers.

"The Chinese government always attaches great importance to the protection of the legitimate interests and rights of Chinese workers," spokesman Qin Gang told a routine press conference, calling the report "groundless" and "unacceptable".

Qin's remarks came in reply to a foreign reporter's question. The journalist quoted US State Department spokesman Andrew Laineas saying that the department had called attention to China's ongoing labor law enforcement shortcomings regarding working conditions and written contracts for workers.

According to Qin, China had adopted laws and regulations on issues such as a minimum wage.

"China has already ratified four of the eight fundamental conventions of the International Labor Organization and is ready to ratify the others, and in comparison, the United States only adopted two," Qin added.

China has ratified the conventions on equal remuneration, minimum age, the elimination of child labor and discrimination.

"Whether at the enforcement or the administrative level, we have worked out effective measures to protect labor rights," Qin said.

Qin admitted that gaps persisted in regard to wages and working conditions between China and such developed countries as the United States.

"China is still a developing country," said Qin.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2009)