Amnesty International calls on FIFA to take stance against "abuse of migrant workers" in Qatar

Human rights group Amnesty International has called on FIFA to take a stance against the "abuse of migrant workers" in Qatar.

Amnesty International claims in a 166-page report that workers arriving in Qatar to work on construction projects related to the 2022 World Cup are subjected to "non-payment of wages, harsh and dangerous working conditions, and shocking standards of accommodation".

Amnesty International's secretary general Salil Shetty said: "Our findings indicate an alarming level of exploitation in the construction sector in Qatar.

"FIFA has a duty to send a strong public message that it will not tolerate human rights abuses on construction projects related to the World Cup.

"Qatar is recruiting migrant workers at a remarkable rate to support its construction boom, with the population increasing at 20 people an hour. Many migrants arrive in Qatar full of hopes, only to have these crushed soon after they arrive. There's no time to delay - the government must act now to end this abuse.

"Construction companies and the Qatari authorities alike are failing migrant workers. Employers in Qatar have displayed an appalling disregard for the basic human rights of migrant workers. Many are taking advantage of a permissive environment and lax enforcement of labour protections to exploit construction workers.

"The world's spotlight will continue to shine on Qatar in the run-up to the

2022 World Cup, offering the government a unique chance to demonstrate on a global stage that they are serious about their commitment to human rights and can act as a role model to the rest of the region."

In response, Amnesty International received a letter dated October 9, 2013, from FIFA vice-president Jerome Valcke, in which he wrote: "The topic of labour rights and working conditions in Qatar was included by our president in the agenda of the recent FIFA Executive Committee meeting held in Zurich on October 3/4. As a result, Mr Blatter will once again bring this matter to the attention of Qatar's highest authorities.

"In previous official statements and in communication with human rights organisations in the past, FIFA has made very clear that we uphold the respect for human rights and the application of international norms of behaviour as a principle and part of all our activities."

Culled from Skysports