January 28 – In a new low, FIFA has rejected a request by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Africa to monitor the conditions of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, the hosts of the 2034 World Cup.
The Guardian writes that ITUC-Africa’s calls for an independent monitor to assess the conditions of migrant workers in the leadup to the tournament have been rejected by the global governing body.
In a letter, FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström wrote back to ITUC-Africa emphasising commitments made by the Saudi government and pointing to “a workers’ welfare system to monitor compliance with labour rights standards for tournament-related workers”.
Grafstrom wrote: “The FIFA World Cup will shine a spotlight on Saudi Arabia for the years to come, which can provide an opportunity for actors within the country and beyond to promote positive change.”
In December, the governing body awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia after a bidding process that lacked transparency and defied good governance, with the Kingdom’s bid fast-tracked after a decision to stage the 2030 finals in six countries across three continents.
Law firm Clifford Chance assessed the bidders’ human rights policies, but the assessment received heavy criticism from rights groups who argued that the scope of the assessment was limited.
Weeks earlier, FIFA established a $50 million Qatar legacy fund which did not address the plight of migrant workers, failing to offer compensation and ignoring a recommendation by FIFA’s own sub-committee for human rights and social responsibility.
The buildup to the 2022 finals was marred by incessant reports of labour abuses in Qatar and a repeat scenario in Saudi Arabia is on the card. Last year, The Guardian reported labour abuses at the construction site of the World Cup stadium in Al Khobar and Josimar detailed labour abuses in Neom, a host city for the 2034 tournament.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1738198566labto1738198566ofdlr1738198566owedi1738198566sni@i1738198566tnuk.1738198566ardni1738198566mas1738198566