Artist’s impression of the al-Gharafa stadium, Qatar
The organisers behind the Qatar 2022 World Cup have said that they are “deeply concerned” at the findings of the Guardian investigation into the treatment of migrant workers in the small Gulf nation.
The Guardian’s damning report alleges that Nepalese workers in Qatar “face exploitation and abuses that amount to modern-day slavery” with construction likely to leave 4,000 migrant workers dead. It goes on to describe dangerous working conditions, non-payment of salaries, workers denied access to drinking water, and forced labour.
The construction of projects directly related to the World Cup have yet to begin, but the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee have said that they were appalled” by the scenes shown in the report and acknowledged that there were “no excuses” for such treatment of people. They also went on to say that they will focus on “the health, safety, well-bring, and dignity of every worker that contributes to staging the 2022 FIFA World Cup”.
The full statement from the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee reads:
The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee (Q22) is deeply concerned with the allegations that have been made against certain contractors/sub-contractors working on Lusail City’s construction site and considers this issue to be of the utmost seriousness. We have been informed that the relevant government authorities are conducting an investigation into the allegations.
While construction on work relating directly to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar has not yet commenced, we have always believed that hosting the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar could be the catalyst for positive change, particularly for accelerating human and social development in Qatar. 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.
The Qatar 2022 Workers’ Charter is available to the public and is provided to all of our potential contractors. Q22’s Workers’ Charter is just the first step in our overall strategy for improving workers’ welfare in Qatar.
Clauses protecting the rights of workers on Q22 projects will be enshrined in our contracts and will supplement all relevant Qatari laws by taking additional steps that Q22 has identified in order to enhance the welfare of our workers. We are driven by transparency in setting up our standards, which will include a robust enforcement and monitoring mechanism.
We are working with international NGOs, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. We also maintain an open channel of dialogue with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on these issues, via close consultation with the Ministry of Labour and other relevant government agencies.
Q22 is also working with Qatar’s Human Rights Co-ordination Committee (QHRCC) which consists of representatives from Q22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour, Qatar Foundation for Human Trafficking, Qatar Foundation for Child and Women Protection, the Follow up and Search Unit of the Ministry of Interior, and the National Human Rights Committee. We are committed with the government to address these issues.
