Qatar 2022 WC will not be built on 'blood of innocents'
Hassan al-Thawadi, the man in charge of Qatar's World Cup preparations, has insisted the tournament will not be built on "the blood of innocents" as organisers come under increasing pressure over the issue of workers' rights.
"This is not a World Cup being built on the blood of innocents. That is unacceptable to anybody and most definitely to ourselves," said Thawadi, who was in Zurich to deliver a progress report on the country's preparations.
The focus of a meeting of Fifa's executive committee was expected to be the shift of the 2022 World Cup to winter to avoid the searing heat of the summer, but Fifa insiders said the renewed pressure over workers' rights had changed the terms of the debate.
Thawadi pointed to a workers' rights charter drawn up by the Qatar 2022 supreme committee and said it had been working with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty on the issue for some time.
He insisted that the decision to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time would accelerate progress in improving the rights of the migrant workers who are fuelling the rapid development of the infrastructure required.
"It's important to note this is an issue the government itself is looking into – and the government was looking into this before the World Cup came on board," said Thawadi.
"It's not a matter of the World Cup imposing pressure, that's not the case. If the World Cup is doing anything it is accelerating a number of these initiatives."
Thawadi insisted there was no prospect of Qatar being stripped of the World Cup over the issue.
"In terms of the migrant workers – when it comes to World Cup 2022 in particular – we've established strategy, a charter. This is out in public, we have established a worker welfare committee," he said.
"We are looking at provisions for our contractors and we are in dialogue with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International to look at not only the contracts but the mechanisms to enforce them."
Read more: The Guardian
It's so sad being a witness to the modern day slavery being showcased by Qatar government over the years especially to an array of Nepalese laborers on construction sites who are oftentimes subjected to inhumane and uncivilized treatment. FIFA should as a matter of urgency look into this matterv and find a probable solution to eradicate this absurdity.
Racism is fast becoming an issue to address as well.
... Sometimes I wonder if this old man can remember what he is talking or has spoken the previous day and how is he expected to know whether it will be winter, spring or summer in Qatar during the time the games are supposed to be held. They say people at a certain age get forgetful, memory loss, etc
Capitalism at its best :O(
and handing out gold rolexes to FIFA members and their wifes...... now in most countries that is considered a bribe especially as these watches costs 10s of thousands of dollars each but for Qatar it was a gift....
I wonder why the labourers never receive such 'gifts' for their hard work....
Exactly Rip.
FIFA has a history of changing the laws of host countries to protect sponsorship arrangements, alcohol sales, ticket revenue etc. But they don't care about whether or not people are working in appalling conditions and dying on the job to build their venues.
Great priorities.
FIFA is a joke, Blatter said they cannot interfere in the laws of a host country. What rubbish. They forced Brazil to change their laws regarding the selling of alcohol in stadiums to appease their sponsors.
So they care for booze and money, more than the life and treatment of workers on their projects. Shameful and disgusting
Under mounting pressure to act over the Guardian's revelations that dozens of Nepalese workers had died this summer in conditions described as "modern-day slavery", Blatter said he would meet the new emir of Qatar to discuss the issue.
Blatter would be better off visiting a migrant labourer camp when he goes to Qatar than going to see the emir," he said.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/04/world-cup-2022-fifa-sepp-blatter-qatar-worker-deaths
I think this is a right time for Qatar to response with new flexible rules.....
yak yak yak yaketty yak yak...Slavery is here to stay.
Laws are already in place. Sad part is many are above the laws.
Maybe they should write a charter? Or pass a law? Or think happy thoughts?
All much easier options than enacting reform, and enforcing change.
Easily said then done. Mindset cant be changed overnight.
Things must be getting serious when even Al Jazeera starts acknowledging that there are issues that need to be addressed.
...its the turn of the indian workers to demand safety and protection
Migrant labourers call for more protection and better treatment following reports of deaths in summer heat.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/10/indian-workers-seek-safety-rights-qatar-201310494013401828.html
If authorities and countries don't take corrective action and soon FIFA and the world cup will be associated with the slave trade and then even the great football players might not want to take part in the games even if their national associations are willing to take part. It might turn out to be one major scandal and disaster of this century. It might turn out to be like the earlier Olympics games with teams and countries boycotting the games
I agree with Rippy. Government money will be used to showcase the improvements of the WC workers. What is needed is the naming, shaming and prosecution of the companies / owners who are causing such misery.
Yes.. when we generalise we just blame others so much that we cross the line..
He's right, workers on 2022 projects will be treated well. Those on non 2022 projects will be abused as normal.
is slavery new name sponsorship
why a we need sponsor, to give our earnings to sponsor?
The Country should not wait for more criticism,and rather improve the sponsorship mechanism in line with the modern day working norms which are getting competitive day by day, and are distancing behind the country in this important area.
While the companies make hefty profits from Qatar's burgeoning projects, they should not be allowed to subjugate and practice the bonded labor.
Informally, most of the Qatari companies too agree to the amendment.