Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers appalled by work conditions

[klr]

Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers say they are "appalled" by the findings of an investigation into the treatment of migrant workers in the country.

The Guardian reported Nepalese workers in Qatar "face exploitation and abuses that amount to modern-day slavery".

Tournament organisers said the Qatari government will study the allegations and Fifa added it is "very concerned".

A Qatari statement read: "There is no excuse for any worker in Qatar to be treated in this manner."

The Guardian investigation claims:

At least 44 workers died between 4 June and 8 August because of heart-related issues or workplace accidents
That there is some evidence of forced labour on a major World Cup infrastructure project
Nepalese men have not been paid for months, with salaries retained and passports confiscated to limit their movements
Access to free drinking water on construction sites has been denied on some occasions

The statement from World Cup organisers continued: "The health, safety, well-being and dignity of every worker that contributes to staging the 2022 Fifa World Cup is of the utmost importance to our committee and we are committed to ensuring that the event serves as a catalyst toward creating sustainable improvements to the lives of all workers in Qatar."

Qatari officials are adamant that working conditions will be suitable for those involved in construction of World Cup facilities***.

The statement added: "We firmly believe that all workers engaged on our projects, and those of the other infrastructure developers in Qatar, have a right to be treated in a manner that ensures at all times their wellbeing, safety, security, and dignity.

"This is our top priority as we begin to deliver on the promises made in our bid to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar."

BBC Radio 5 live spoke to the chief executive of Qatar 2022, Hassan Al Thawadi earlier this month, before the Guardian's findings were published.

Asked about the issue of working conditions, he said: "Our priority when it comes to the workers is to ensure the safety, security, dignity and health of each worker is catered for and taken care of."

He added that work on World Cup projects had yet to get under way, but when it did contractors would have to abide by a "workers' charter".

"We've shared these workers' standards and our workers' strategy with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International and we are in open discussions with them as well," he added.

The 2022 World Cup is already under scrutiny because of concerns about the effects Qatar's searing summer heat could have on players.

A Fifa statement said world football's governing body "will again get in contact with the Qatari Authorities".

Fifa's executive committee will discuss the issue when it meets in Zurich on 3-4 October to discuss the possibility of moving the competition to winter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24282713

*** Of course, the obvious question is: Shouldn't all workers be treated properly, not just those who are going to be involved in construction for the World Cup?

[Svartalf]

What the eff did they expect when they gave qatar the cup?

[klr]

What the eff did they expect when they gave qatar the cup?

That the worker abuse not be so widespread and so bad that they'd be forced to report it publicly.

[Clinton Huxley]

Oh come on, can't these blighters have the decency to be exploited to death with a minimum of fuss? There's money to be made.

[Thinking Aloud]

I'm pretty sure I saw a programme showing a similar issue in Dubai not too long ago.

[Svartalf]

Oh come on, can't these blighters have the decency to be exploited to death with a minimum of fuss? There's money to be made.

Can't find decent help these days, I tell you.

[Clinton Huxley]

Oh come on, can't these blighters have the decency to be exploited to death with a minimum of fuss? There's money to be made.

Can't find decent help these days, I tell you.

At least I let my staff have water at reasonable rates. And a 5 minute break after ten years service.

[mistermack]

These Qataris are just amateurs when it comes to exploiting slave labour.
They know that you have to water a camel, but are too dumb to apply that to coolies. It's false economy to skimp on rations that will keep them working longer.

I suppose that they paid so much in bribes to get the games, that they are trying to cut corners to make the bribe money back.

The backhanders for this World Cup must have been mind-boggling.

[Mysturji]

What the eff did they expect when they gave qatar the cup?

A kickback?

[Rum]

What the eff did they expect when they gave qatar the cup?

A kickback?

..and doubtlessly got it one way or another..

[laklak]

Oh come on, can't these blighters have the decency to be exploited to death with a minimum of fuss? There's money to be made.

Can't find decent help these days, I tell you.

At least I let my staff have water at reasonable rates. And a 5 minute break after ten years service.

Good God man! You're a liberal.

[Svartalf]

What the eff did they expect when they gave qatar the cup?

A kickback?

They certainly had gotten plenty graft, and well in advance... They knew what prevailing conditions reign in that country concerning the unpriviliged, imported, workforce.

[Clinton Huxley]

Oh come on, can't these blighters have the decency to be exploited to death with a minimum of fuss? There's money to be made.

Can't find decent help these days, I tell you.

At least I let my staff have water at reasonable rates. And a 5 minute break after ten years service.

Good God man! You're a liberal.

Soft-hearted, that's me.

[HomerJay]

If they're killing them 10 years before the deadline, what's it going to be like when they realise it's not going to be finished in time?

moving it to winter will give them another 6 months to play with.

[laklak]

Islamic shithole treats foreign workers like garbage. As Gomer Pyle would say, surprise, surprise, surprise!