Status: 05/19/2022 10:49 a.m
For years, human rights activists have been criticizing the working conditions at the World Cup preparations in Qatar. Now they are demanding millions in compensation from the world football association FIFA.
Fans and human rights organizations are calling on the world football association FIFA and Qatar to pay millions in compensation to migrant workers. Massive human rights violations were documented during the construction of stadiums and other infrastructure for the soccer World Cup at the end of this year.
Since 2010, thousands of workers have died and been injured in mysterious circumstances, suffered wage robbery or had to pay extortionate agency fees.
At least 420 million euros
An open letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino now states that FIFA should pay at least 440 million US dollars (almost 420 million euros). This sum corresponds to the prize money that would be paid at the championship.
However, this amount is only a minimum requirement. The total for all injuries suffered could be much higher. It should be determined in a transparent process and in cooperation with trade unions and the International Labor Organization, for example.
The letter was signed by the fan organization Football Supporters Europe and the human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, among others.
FIFA knew about violations, according to critics
The authors explained that FIFA was aware of massive violations of migrants’ rights in Qatar even before the World Cup was awarded. However, she ignored this and thus contributed to human rights violations.
The Football Association, on the other hand, said in a statement that many workers had already received compensation.
Qatar should also pay
Qatar is also asked in the letter to pay compensation. The signatories acknowledge that the country has somewhat strengthened the rights of migrants. However, the reforms that were implemented came too late for many workers. In addition, they were only partially implemented.
The small and rich emirate on the Persian Gulf is regularly criticized for the exploitation of migrants. Almost 90 percent of Qatar’s 2.5 million inhabitants are foreigners, most of whom come from poorer countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal or India. Almost half of them work on construction sites, many of them related to the World Cup.
The World Cup will take place from November 21st to December 18th, 2022.