Soccer

World Cup sponsor concerned at workers’ conditions in Qatar

Visa are ‘gravely concerned’ at how migrant workers are treated

Fifa has come under increased scrutiny for their lack of action over the conditions in which migrant workers are living while they build infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Marwan Namaani/Getty Images
Fifa has come under increased scrutiny for their lack of action over the conditions in which migrant workers are living while they build infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Marwan Namaani/Getty Images
Wed May 20 2015 - 17:22

World Cup sponsor Visa has urged Fifa to improve migrant working conditions in Qatar after expressing its “grave concern”.

The conditions for migrant workers involved in construction work for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has come under increasing scrutiny and the comments from one of Fifa’s biggest partners will increase the pressure on the world governing body.

A statement read: “We continue to be troubled by the reports coming out of Qatar related to the World Cup and migrant worker conditions.

“We have expressed our grave concern to Fifa and urge them to take all necessary actions to work with the appropriate authorities and organisations to remedy this situation and ensure the health and safety of all involved.”

READ MORE

This week has seen the launch of a campaign by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Play Fair Qatar and the NewFifaNow group to highlight the appaling conditions under which workers are suffering in Qatar. “As things stand,” declares Play Fair Qatar, “more than 62 workers will die for each game played during the 2022 tournament.”

Visa has been a Fifa partner since 2007 and last year signed a new deal until 2022, which includes the Qatar tournament.

ITUC has also urged Fifa to improve conditions for migrant workers in Qatar.

ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow said: “If Fifa is serious about this, they can turn it around. They can turn it around, but they choose not to.”

Fifa has already said it was seeking “clarity from the Qatari authorities” after a BBC news team was arrested in Qatar while reporting on the plight of the migrant workers.

The BBC’s Middle East business correspondent Mark Lobel was arrested in Doha, having been invited into Qatar by the prime minister’s office.

Lobel said he and his crew were detained for a lengthy period and subject to “hostile” questioning after being the subjects of two days of surveillance prior to their arrests.

In response, the Qatar government said the detentions were made for trespass and breaking Qatari laws.

“By trespassing on private property and running afoul of Qatari laws, the BBC reporter made himself the story,” the Qatar government said.

“We sincerely hope that this was not his intention. Moreover, we deeply regret that he was unable to report the real story, which is that the government and the private sector are making significant progress in efforts to improve the lives and the labour conditions of guest workers in Qatar.”

A FIFA spokesman said: “Any instance relating to an apparent restriction of press freedom is of concern to FIFA and will be looked into with the seriousness it deserves.”