{"id":223968,"date":"2022-11-21T12:00:44","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T12:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=223968"},"modified":"2022-11-17T05:07:03","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T05:07:03","slug":"world-cup-stadium-workers-had-their-money-stolen-and-lives-ruined-says-rights-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2022\/11\/world-cup-stadium-workers-had-their-money-stolen-and-lives-ruined-says-rights-group\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup Stadium Workers \u2018Had Their Money Stolen and Lives Ruined\u2019, Says Rights Group"},"content":{"rendered":"

Report on conditions in Qatar alleges labour abuses are widespread and calls on FIFA to set up compensation fund.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

10 Nov 2022 – <\/em>Migrant workers who constructed stadiums for the World Cup<\/a> in Qatar have endured \u201cpersistent and widespread labour rights violations\u201d, which include nationality-based discrimination, illegal recruitment practices and, in some cases, unpaid wages, according to allegations in a new report by the human rights group Equidem.<\/p>\n

While the report also documents a number of cases of good practice, including \u201cadequate channels for reporting concerns with working conditions\u201d, good access to healthcare, satisfactory safety measures and decent living conditions, Equidem\u2019s findings conclude that Qatar<\/a> has been a \u201chostile environment\u201d for stadium workers.<\/p>\n

It claims that many of the workers interviewed for its report faced severe exploitation and were forced to work in a culture of fear and retribution, \u201csustained through nationality-based discrimination and workplace violence, including physical, verbal, and mental abuse\u201d.<\/p>\n

Equidem also alleges that companies working on stadium construction have \u201cactively evaded inspections\u201d, quoting a Nepali worker employed at Lusail stadium, which will host the World Cup final, who told researchers that workers were sent back to their camps before a visit from Fifa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorkers started to hide to get a chance to complain to the Fifa group. Then the company started checking if anyone is still on site. If anyone was caught hiding, they were either sent back home or had their salary deducted,\u201d he said in the report.<\/p>\n

Unpaid wages<\/a>, failure to pay for overtime or end-of-service benefits and wages lower than promised were also reported. A Bangladeshi worker employed at a number of stadiums told researchers: \u201cI do not get paid for overtime work and I work from 6am to 6pm seven days a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2014 the local World Cup organising committee established a set of \u201cworker welfare standards<\/a>\u201d to protect workers on its projects,including better worker accommodation, mechanisms to file complaints and a scheme to reimburse workers\u2019 recruitment fees. About \u00a320m has been repaid so far.<\/p>\n

\n

More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Has the World Cup really improved workers\u2019 rights in Qatar? Five experts give their verdict<\/strong><\/em><\/a> – Pete Pattisson<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

<\/figure>\n

In recent years, the Qatari authorities have also introduced a number of labour reforms<\/a>, chiefly the introduction of a minimum wage and the abolition of the kafala<\/a>, or sponsorship, system.<\/p>\n

However, Equidem\u2019s report suggests there were significant shortcomings in the implementation of these measures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that such widespread labour abuse persists on worksites so heavily regulated by Qatar, Fifa and their partners, suggests that the reforms undertaken over the last five years have acted as cover for powerful businesses that seek to exploit migrant workers with impunity,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n

The report calls on Fifa to establish a compensation fund for workers who have suffered during the building of the stadiums.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe estimate thousands of workers are owed remedy for illegal recruitment charges, unpaid wages and other harms. Qatar, Fifa and their partners stand to earn billions from this tournament, yet the workers who built the stadiums have had their money stolen and their lives ruined,\u201d said Mustafa Qadri, Equidem\u2019s executive director. \u201cFifa can no longer turn a blind eye and should set up a compensation fund immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a statement, a spokesperson for Fifa said that measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of World Cup workers, which include regular independent inspections, occupational health and safety measures on site, comprehensive medical checks and projects to address health and Covid-19, have been an important priority.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe robustness of this programme has been recognised repeatedly by experts and trade unions over the years, reaching the highest international standards in terms of health and safety. We are in contact with our Qatari counterparts to assess the information included in the Equidem report,\u201d Fifa said.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Qatar\u2019s supreme committee said that the Equidem report was \u201clittered with inaccuracies and misrepresentations\u201d which undermined its commitment to ensuring the health, safety and dignity of workers on Fifa World Cup 2022<\/a> projects.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince introducing the workers\u2019 welfare standards in 2014, our efforts have resulted in significant improvements in accommodation standards, health and safety regulations, grievance mechanisms, healthcare provisions, and reimbursement of illegal recruitment fees to workers,\u201d said a spokesperson. \u201cWe are committed to delivering the legacy we promised. A legacy that improves lives and lays the foundation for fair, sustainable and lasting labour reforms.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe supreme committee is transparent about the challenges and progress, accepting constructive criticism, and maintaining dialogue with key stakeholders. The report, released very shortly before the start of the World Cup, is an egregious attempt to undermine and damage the SC\u2019s reputation.\u201d<\/p>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

Read More:<\/em><\/p>\n