By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
November 18 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have agreed to maintain an ongoing dialogue with Amnesty International in the wake of the most explosive report to date into workers’ rights violations in the country.
A statement by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee (Q22) said officials met with Amnesty on Sunday as the report was being released and held “a productive discussion” on a range of topics, including the progress of the Q22 Workers’ Welfare Standards and the formation of the Q22 Worker Welfare Committee.
” It was agreed at the conclusion of the meeting that a constructive dialogue between the two organizations would continue in the years leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar,” the statement said.
“Q22 has been meeting with relevant stakeholders and developing a plan for addressing worker welfare since winning the bid in 2010. In 2013, Q22 released its Workers’ Charter and, at the end of this year, it will release its Workers’ Welfare Standards – aligned with Qatari law and international best practice – which set clear guidelines from recruitment to repatriation.
“Compliance with the law and Q22’s standards will be a contractual obligation for companies working on Q22 projects and will be transparently and robustly monitored through a three-tier compliance and auditing structure.
“The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee values the contribution of the Amnesty International report and was pleased to see that it acknowledges:
· The positive steps Q22 is taking to ensure contractors uphold human rights standards
· Q22’s commitment to transparency with regard to the development and implementation of its Workers Welfare Standards
· The responsibility for the welfare of workers is shared by all parties involved in the chain of contracting including the government of Qatar, the governments of sending countries, recruitment agencies and the companies that utilise them.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734840328labto1734840328ofdlr1734840328owedi1734840328sni@w1734840328ahsra1734840328w.wer1734840328dna1734840328