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Workers rights violations endanger Qatar World Cup

Comment: 0 November 17th, 2011 by: admin

International labour organisations will reportedly issue a warning to FIFA over workers’ rights violations allegedly occurring in Qatar, the host country of the 2022 World Cup.

Reports indicate that worldwide union representatives plan to inform FIFA president Sepp Blatter of an ongoing campaign calling for the cancellation of the World Cup in Qatar unless labour rights concerns are addressed and remedied.

According to a statement from the International Trade Union Confederation, the concerns are centred around ‘inhuman’ abuse and endangerment of migrant labourers tasked to undertake the construction of infrastructure for the global sporting event.

A series of reports received by the unions described ‘unsafe working conditions and abuse of workers’ rights as Qatar sets out to build nine stadiums in 10 years using mostly migrant labour.’

Posing what may be considered a threat aimed at FIFA, the ITUC stated that the sporting body either use its influence to put a stop to the alleged violations or unions would be forced to act and call for the event’s cancellation.

‘FIFA has the power to make labour rights a requirement for the Qatari authorities who are hosting a World Cup,’ Reuters quoted ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow.

She continued that unless the right conditions are met, the organisations ‘would mobilise workers and football fans to target each of FIFA’s football associations and the international body to stop the World Cup in Qatar if labour rights are not respected.’

Burrow added that the ITUC has the capacity to mandate the cancellation of the entire event.

The letter addressed to Blatter will be delivered by the ITUC with the Building and Wood Workers International and the Swiss Union Unia.

Ambet Yuson, BWI general secretary, called for FIFA to institute requirements for solid labour rights to any nation set to host all future World Cups.

‘Support from countries with decent labour rights will be used to pressure the Qatari authorities and FIFA to protect workers’ rights, particularly migrant workers who are the majority of the construction work force in Qatar,’ assured Yuson.

Current reports indicate that Blatter had agreed to meet with the organisations regarding the labour concerns.

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