E/C.12/1/Add.107 page 3 notes that some asylum-seekers are excluded by the refugee determination procedure of the State party, in particular those coming from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who are regarded by the State party as economic migrants and are thus compelled to return to their countries. 15. The Committee notes with deep concern the de facto discrimination against internal migrants in the fields of employment, social security, health services, housing and education that indirectly result from inter alia, the restrictive national household registration system (hukou) which continues to be in place despite official announcements regarding reforms. 16. The Committee is concerned about the reported persistence of discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities, especially in terms of employment, social security, education and health. 17. The Committee notes with concern the persistence of gender inequalities in practice in the State party, particularly with regard to employment and participation in decision-making. The Committee regrets that it has not received sufficient information from the State party regarding affirmative action to promote gender equality and measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. 18. The Committee is deeply concerned about the high rate of abortion of the girl foetus. 19. The Committee is concerned about the problem of the sale of women and girl children and of the abandonment of elderly women. 20. The Committee notes with concern the increasing rate of unemployment in the State party, particularly in rural areas. 21. The Committee is concerned about the large-scale redundancies made in recent years, which have disproportionately affected women. 22. The Committee is gravely concerned about the use of forced labour as a corrective measure, without charge, trial or review, under the “Re-education through Labour” (laodong jiaoyang) programme. 23. The Committee expresses its deep concern regarding children working in hazardous occupations such as mining, often in precarious conditions that fall short of labour safety standards. The Committee is also of the view that the “Diligent Work and Economical Study” (qingong jianxue) programme for schoolchildren constitutes exploitative child labour, in contradiction of the provisions of articles 6 and 7 of the Covenant, and Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to which China is a party. 24. The Committee is deeply concerned about the insufficient implementation of existing labour legislation in the State party that has resulted in generally poor conditions of work, including excessive working hours, lack of sufficient rest breaks and hazardous working conditions. The Committee notes with concern that the problem is especially acute for migrant workers. The Committee is also alarmed by the high incidence of serious occupational accidents in the State party, particularly in the mining sector.