Amnesty International: Qatar World Cup fails to adequately protect workers

The leading human rights organization, Amnesty International, warns that the future for migrant workers in Qatar after the 2022 World Cup is at great risk as the tournament's one-year anniversary approaches. In their briefing titled "A Legacy in Jeopardy," Amnesty International reveals that the Qatar government's commitment to ensuring fair conditions and decent work for the hundreds of thousands of workers who contributed to the realization of Qatar's World Cup dream has significantly waned since the media spotlight faded. These workers will also continue to play a crucial role in the country's development in the years ahead.

Qatar's International Media Office responded to Amnesty International's findings in a statement sent to CNN, asserting that the labor reforms in Qatar have had a visibly positive impact. The statement emphasized that the World Cup has been instrumental in expediting these reforms and leaving a lasting legacy. Qatar is now recognized as a regional leader in workers' rights and labor reforms, serving as a model for other nations aiming to successfully overhaul their systems.

Amnesty International acknowledged that certain improvements have been made regarding Qatar's labor system and workers' rights, such as granting workers the ability to leave the country and switch jobs more easily. However, the organization firmly asserted that despite FIFA and Qatar's assertions of progress, insufficient measures have been taken to adequately address workers' rights in Qatar.

The human rights organization stated that the Qatari government's belatedly introduced and weakly enforced reforms, combined with FIFA's human rights policy implemented in 2017, did not effectively prevent the occurrence of widespread abuses both before and during the tournament. Furthermore, the organization emphasized that these abuses persist till this day.

Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts World Cup after defeating France in the final.

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Criticism was widespread towards the organizers in the lead-up to the World Cup last year over the way they treated migrant workers. The Guardian reported in 2021 that 6,500 South Asian migrant workers have lost their lives in Qatar since the country was granted the World Cup in 2010. These workers were predominantly engaged in hazardous and poorly paid labor, often performed under harsh heat conditions.

The 6,500 deaths associated with World Cup infrastructure projects were not fully linked in the report and CNN has not independently confirmed its accuracy. According to Hassan Al Thawadi, the person responsible for overseeing Qatar's preparations, he stated to CNN's Becky Anderson that The Guardian's claim of 6,500 deaths is a misleading and sensational headline, lacking necessary context.

Lionel Messi, Argentina's captain and forward wearing number 10, proudly holds up the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the trophy ceremony after Argentina's victory in the final match against France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

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According to a 2021 report by Amnesty International, the Qatari authorities have failed to investigate the "thousands" of migrant worker deaths over the past decade, despite evidence connecting these premature deaths to hazardous working conditions. These deaths are not being documented as work-related, thus depriving families of receiving compensation, states the advocacy group.

Steve Cockburn, the Head of Economic and Social Justice at Amnesty International, asserts that Qatar must step up its efforts to enhance workers' rights.

He stated that Qatar's ongoing lack of effectiveness in implementing or enhancing its pre-World Cup labor reforms jeopardizes any potential benefits for workers.

He strongly urged the government to promptly reaffirm its dedication to safeguarding workers, and emphasized the need for both FIFA and Qatar to establish remediation strategies for all individuals who have endured hardships.

The organization expressed its lack of knowledge regarding any progress in the investigation of workers' deaths, ongoing wage theft by employers, and continued abuse of migrant workers' rights. Amnesty International also restated its 10-point plan, which was previously released in preparation for the 2022 World Cup. The plan emphasizes the need to eradicate forced labor, grant trade union rights, and provide compensation for past abuses.

FIFA stated to CNN that significant progress has undeniably been made in support of Qatar. However, the international governing body of soccer acknowledged that enforcing these transformative reforms requires time and increased efforts to ensure that all workers in the country benefit from them.