According to human rights group Amnesty, Qatar’s task of protecting migrant workers from exploitation in the World Cup host country is “only half done”.
With a month to go before the start, the organization warned that progress on labor reform “must not stop once the roadshow leaves Doha”.
It said: “Human rights abuses continue on a substantial scale today.
And in its final report ahead of the tournament, Amnesty reiterated its call for world football’s governing body Fifa to set up a compensation fund for abused migrant workers.
It also said the Football Association “should have spoken out more clearly and honestly about the serious human rights abuses that threatened to completely overshadow this World Cup”.
Both Fifa and the local organizers have praised the reforms that have been introduced.
The FA meanwhile insisted it had “clearly outlined our position towards Qatar”.
In its report, Amnesty recognized that an overhaul of Qatar’s labor system led to improvements in conditions for two million migrant workers in the country. But it says failure to enforce or fully implement these changes is undermining progress.
It claims thousands of workers are still being denied pay and days off, are subject to unsafe working conditions and face barriers to changing jobs.
It points to the deaths of thousands of migrant workers over the past decade because of projects related to the World Cup and broader infrastructure Still can’t explain.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice, said: “Although Qatar has made significant strides on labor rights over the past five years, it is clear is still a long way off.
He added that, despite pressure from Amnesty and a working group from European regulator Uefa to set up a migrant workers center and compensation scheme, “Qatar and Fifa have not budged. move”.
Amnesty says a compensation fund must be worth at least £350 million – the same amount that will be awarded in prize money at the event.
What do FIFA and Qatar say?
In response, Fifa said: “A series of measures have been taken over the years to improve protections for workers in Qatar, and these developments have largely resulted from the World Cup being held. office in this country.
“Workers have been compensated in various forms when companies fail to uphold the Supreme Commission’s Worker Welfare Standards on Delivery & Legacy.
“Fifa is still in active dialogue with all relevant authorities in Qatar on initiatives that will benefit migrant workers in Qatar after the final match of the World Cup. will be provided in due time.”
This week, US Soccer became the latest federation to back the idea of a workers’ compensation fund. Fifa deputy secretary-general Alasdair Bell also told a European Council session on labor rights in Qatar that compensation “is certainly something that we are interested in working on”.
The Supreme Commission on Delivery & Legacy (SC) said: “Advancements in worker welfare are a legacy we are very proud of and a legacy we are working on.
“We have always believed that the World Cup will be a catalyst to promote positive initiatives, leaving a legacy of meaningful and sustainable progress for the country and the region.
“Our Employee Welfare Standards have ensured good working and living conditions for our workers, and paved the way for groundbreaking initiatives such as the recruitment fee reimbursement program, claims processing, as well as enhanced healthcare through the implementation of comprehensive medical examinations, wear cooling, and dedicated cardiovascular and psychiatric pathways – many of which have impacted people employees outside the scope of SC.
“We welcome Amnesty International’s recognition, noting that our work has ‘improved the living and working conditions of thousands of migrant workers’ and that it ‘represents an significant and unprecedented improvement in living and working conditions’.
“Work is ongoing and of course there is still room for improvement. We are continuing to explore together with key partners opportunities to enhance our legacy to improve workers’ lives and lay the foundation for for just, sustainable and lasting reforms.”
Amnesty also said it had “repeatedly expressed concern that the FA was reluctant to issue public statements regarding human rights issues prior to Qatar 2022”.
Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Amnesty International UK, said: “With the start almost beginning with us, the FA has a responsibility to say loudly and clearly that labor reforms are in place. Qatar’s action needs urgent reinforcement, that a Fifa-backed workers’ compensation fund needs to become a reality, and Qatar must go beyond just saying that LGBTI fans are ‘welcome. ‘ and instead repeal the country’s shocking anti-LGBTI laws.”
An FA spokesman said: “We have stated publicly that we support the concept of a migrant worker center and compensate the families of workers who have died or been injured during construction.
“We plan to wear the captain’s armband throughout the tournament – and throughout the season – expressing our support for inclusion in football. And last week, along with colleagues in the working group. of Uefa, we have called on Fifa to commit to resolving outstanding issues related to migrant workers by the end of this month.”
