On its 60th anniversary, the Xizang Autonomous Region presents remarkable progress in social and economic development, thanks to strong support from the central government and local authorities.

By the end of 2019, through the targeted poverty alleviation strategy, the region had lifted 628,000 registered poor residents and 74 counties or districts out of poverty – a historic victory over the extreme poverty that had persisted for centuries.

A critical driver of this transformation has been the focus on skills training and employment transfer for farmers and herders, an initiative facilitating their switch from one employer to another.

The numbers bear this out. From 2016 to 2021, nearly five million farmers and herders benefited from the employment transfer programs. In 2024 alone, 51,000 new jobs were created in urban areas, while 648,000 farmers and herders secured non-farming employment, generating 7.16 billion yuan ($1 billion) in labor income.

These achievements show that Xizang's employment policies are closely aligned with the region's specific circumstances and the long-term interests of all ethnic groups, safeguarding the right to development and advancing human rights.

Respecting local development needs

Xizang has adopted a unified urban-rural employment and entrepreneurship registration system, ensuring that farmers and herders are fully included in employment services. Free vocational guidance, job placement and skills training are available to all laborers aged 16 and above. The training and employment programs respect individual choices, allowing participants to select courses, methods and institutions according to their own needs.

Programs such as"work-for-aid" projects, an initiative to develop Xizang by pairing it up with more developed regions to share their resources and expertise, local labor service brands and cooperative models provide high-quality employment opportunities while enabling farmers and herders to enhance both skills and initiative.

Projects to provide specialized training in areas like agriculture, animal husbandry, construction, crafts and rural tour guiding have enabled farmers and herders to acquire vocational skills, enhancing their employment prospects.

Adapting to market-oriented development

Employment growth is supported by the development of characteristic industries and large-scale government investment projects. The region focuses on seven major sectors: highland barley, yaks, Tibetan sheep, Tibetan pigs, vegetables, dairy and forage. This has expanded employment channels while raising cash income for farmers and herders.

At the same time, infrastructure projects in transportation, water conservancy, energy and rural revitalization have filled development gaps, promoted economic growth and generated thousands of jobs.

Green development has also become a key driver. The promotion of ecological industries and carbon-sink initiatives has created new pathways for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly in environmentally sustainable sectors. These measures have kept Xizang's urban unemployment rate below the national average, and"zero-employment households" have been steadily redressed.

Serving the fundamental interests of the people

To ensure employment benefits reach all communities, Xizang encourages enterprises to recruit local farmers and herders, complemented by targeted training programs. Employment fairs, coordination meetings and campaigns bring job opportunities directly to villages and towns, making it easier for laborers to access quality services without leaving their homes.

One notable campaign is"Spring Breeze Action," specifically meant for rural labor and businesses with a shortfall of workers. It guides migrant workers returning to urban centers, promoting local employment and entrepreneurship and organizing recruitment services for businesses.

For surplus laborers, employment service stations in other provinces facilitate orderly migration, with comprehensive support for meals, accommodation, transportation and rights protection. Workers enjoy full freedom of choice. If the jobs prove unsuitable, they are free to return home any time.

For those unable to work outside their hometowns, local industrial parks, service industries and infrastructure projects provide alternative employment. Aspiring entrepreneurs benefit from training, mentorship and guaranteed loans, ensuring inclusive opportunities for upward mobility.

Alongside support for rural laborers, Xizang has prioritized employment for college graduates. Policies such as internship subsidies, social insurance subsidies and incentives for enterprises to hire graduates have broadened career channels.

Universities and enterprises are encouraged to establish business incubators and employment platforms. For those pursuing self-employment, subsidies of 60,000 yuan in startup capital and up to 24,000 yuan annually for rent and utilities provide strong financial support. These measures not only expand graduate employment opportunities but also contribute to innovation and local economic vitality.

Through an integrated approach that combines employment services, skills training and industrial development, Xizang has consolidated the gains of poverty alleviation and advanced rural revitalization. Policies designed to respect local development needs, adapt to market dynamics and serve the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups have been widely welcomed by workers and job seekers. By expanding opportunities for both rural laborers and graduates, Xizang has ensured more sustainable livelihoods, improved living standards and laid a solid foundation for long-term development.

As Xizang celebrates 60 years of progress, its employment-centered strategies stand as a testament to how poverty eradication and human rights protection can be advanced through inclusive, people-centered development.

（From CGTN，Xiao Weilin, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate researcher at the Institute of Contemporary Studies under the China Tibetology Research Center. Original title：Employment growth and protection of people's labor rights in Xizang）