FIFA Urged To Act On Amnesty International Report Into Qatar World Cup Workers

FIFA says it takes Amnesty's allegations of abuse of workers in Qatar very seriously

Conservative MP Damian Collins has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to speak out after a new report by Amnesty International alleged systematic abuse of migrant workers involved in preparations for the 2022 World Cup.

Press Association report continues:

Collins, a member of the House of Commons Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport, believes FIFA has not addressed crucial issues relating to the tournament in Qatar.

The report claimed workers were being forced to live in squalid accommodation, pay huge recruitment fees and have had wages withheld and passports confiscated.

The 80-page document, entitled "The ugly side of the beautiful game: Labour exploitation on a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue", was produced after interviews with 132 workers at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha and 99 others who had worked in the surrounding complex between February and May last year.

Collins, Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe, campaigned for FIFA reform when shamed ex-president Sepp Blatter was in charge and urged Infantino, who replaced Blatter in February, to prove he is different.

He told Press Association Sport: "This is one of the big tests for Infantino. If he wants to demonstrate his leadership is different from Blatter, is he prepared to speak out on this really important issue? The tournament is being carried out in FIFA's name and after years of criticism and concerns the standards in Qatar are found massively wanting.

"What confidence does he have things are going to get any better? If they don't will he step in and take action?

"If he buries his head in the sand people may conclude one president has replaced another but otherwise what's changed?"

Collins, who has previously urged sponsors to put pressure on FIFA over conditions, was also concerned about the accusations workers at the Khalifa International Stadium were having their passports held.

He added: "It's the whole issue of the rights of the workers to leave. There's a whole debate around the way workers have been exploited - and even modern slavery - and one of the freedoms workers must have is to leave their employment freely, and Qatar, if they wish to."

Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty said: "The abuse of migrant workers is a stain on the conscience of world football.

"For players and fans, a World Cup stadium is a place of dreams. For some of the workers who spoke to us, it can feel like a living nightmare.

"Indebted, living in squalid camps in the desert, paid a pittance, the lot of migrant workers contrasts sharply to that of the top-flight footballers who will play in the stadium.

"Despite five years of promises, FIFA has failed almost completely to stop the World Cup being built on human rights abuses."

Football at great cost? One of the Qatar stadia at which there have been much exploitative labour issues. Image source: Amnesty International report

In his letter of response, FIFA head of sustainability Federico Adiecchi wrote: "We thank you for bringing these important issues to our attention. We take them very seriously and acknowledge our responsibility to ensure human rights are respected in the context of preparing for and carrying out the tournament.

"While constructive criticism is necessary and, in many cases, helpful, it is also important to acknowledge progress, such as the achievements of the Supreme Committee (the government entity responsible for the delivery of World Cup infrastructure) to date.

"Furthermore, we do not agree with the statement in your letter that 'FIFA took no clear, concrete action to prevent human rights abuses of workers on World Cup-related projects'.

"FIFA has been integrating human rights components in different aspects of its work, processes and activities for many years."

The Supreme Committee called for an "immediate and comprehensive review of the application and enforcement" of its welfare standards for workers at the stadium.

But secretary general Hassan Al Thawadi expressed concern at the delay in Amnesty presenting its findings and argued some of the allegations had already been addressed.

He said in a letter to Amnesty: "By AI's own admission, the SC is making substantial progress in the enhancement of its labour standards and policies and, had we both been more closely engaged over the last year, AI would have been aware of the positive changes that have taken place over that period.

"AI would also have noted that the SC was working on enhancing and rectifying many of the issues raised, even before receipt of your letter."