By Andrew Warshaw
November 17 – Qatar must not exploit workers rights as it sets about a major construction programme for the 2022 World Cup, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) charged today.
Following a meeting with FIFA in Zurich, the Confederation’s general secretary Sharan Burrow warned that her organisation, based in Brussels, “will not accept people working to build stadiums without respect for workers’ rights.”
“If the extremely wealthy nation of Qatar wants to host this major international event, we expect civilised treatment of workers,” said Burrow.
Qatar is not only hosting the World Cup but is also making a bid for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
The Gulf state’s preparations for the former include building an entire fleet of air-conditioned stadiums in the next 10 years.
More than 90 per cent of Qatar’s workforce is made up of foreign migrant workers and the ITUC says it will campaign for the tournament to be moved unless FIFA presses for better conditions.
“FIFA has the power to make labour rights a requirement of the Qatari authorities,” said Burrow.
Following the meeting with FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, said in a statement: “It was agreed that FIFA and ITUC will work jointly over the next few months to address labour issues with the Qatari authorities.
“It was also agreed to add labour-related criteria to the bidding process of future FIFA World Cups.
“We have a responsibility that goes beyond the development of football and the organisation of our competitions.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734792871labto1734792871ofdlr1734792871owedi1734792871sni@w1734792871ahsra1734792871w.wer1734792871dna1734792871