Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers appalled by work conditions

[klr]

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

Except that Qatar is no shithole - or at least it shouldn't be. It's fabulously wealthy, and likes to think of itself as being relatively progressive.

But appallingly poor treatment of poor migrant workers seems to be endemic in the oil-rich gulf states.

[Svartalf]

Gold plated or not, if it's fulla shit, 'tis a shit hole

[JimC]

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

Except that Qatar is no shithole - or at least it shouldn't be. It's fabulously wealthy, and likes to think of itself as being relatively progressive.

But appallingly poor treatment of poor migrant workers seems to be endemic in the oil-rich gulf states.

The arab world has a long cultural tradition of slavery...

[Cormac]

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?

Of course, the answer, from FIFA wild, if truthful, be:

Only in so far as it keeps the media from investigating, so that the flow of Qatari bribes keeps flowing into our fat, venal, and corrupt bank accounts.

FIFA. SCUM.

[Cormac]

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.

Precisely.

[Cormac]

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

Except that Qatar is no shithole - or at least it shouldn't be. It's fabulously wealthy, and likes to think of itself as being relatively progressive.

But appallingly poor treatment of poor migrant workers seems to be endemic in the oil-rich gulf states.

It is a gilded shithole.

A gilded and polished turf is still a turd.

[Clinton Huxley]

The World Cup turf will be watered with the blood of thousands of slaves, not that the millionaire players kicking a ball around on it will give much of a toss. I hate football.

[JimC]

The World Cup turf will be watered with the blood of thousands of slaves, not that the millionaire players kicking a ball around on it will give much of a toss. I hate football.

You'd love Aussie rules then! It's mostly the player's blood that waters the turf!

[Clinton Huxley]

That's much more civilized, Jim.