Affirmative Action, Economic Reforms, and Han–Uyghur Variation in Job Attainment in the State Sector in Urumchi

Have workers of minority status suffered labour market discrimination in China? Do all actors in the state sector discriminate against minority workers? What are the rationales for discrimination? To address these questions, I compare two ethnic groups (Han Chinese and Uyghur) with regard to job attainment in the state sector. Data are from a 2005 survey (N= 2,947) conducted in Ürümchi, China. Data analysis shows that controlling background characteristics does not remove the Uyghur–Han difference in job attainment in state firms. However, there is no ethnic variation in employment in redistributive agencies. This contrast is explained with reference to post-1978 market transition and the resulting differentiation in the institutional tasks between state firms and government agencies.