Human Rights Concerns in FIFA World Cup Preparations
Human Rights Concerns Ahead of FIFA World Cups in Russia and Qatar
Activist Reports on Labor Abuses
Russia and Qatar are preparing for the next two FIFA World Cups. Activists say these countries have human rights issues they need to address. They cite examples of employers abusing work crews at World Cup sites. Some workers are reportedly constructing buildings and other structures for the games. Activists also note a lack of labor protections in both Russia and Qatar. In some cases, they say, this lack of protection has led to death.
BBC Crew Jailed in Qatar
In May, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documented the jailing of its crew in Qatar. The crew members were arrested after attempting to film the living conditions of poor migrant workers in Doha, the capital. These workers were helping prepare the city for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The crew’s cameras were seized and never returned.
The Guardian Reports on Nepalese Migrant Deaths
The Guardian newspaper reported on Nepalese migrants working on a project tied to the World Cup stadium. It stated that these migrants died at a rate of one every two days in 2014. Qatar’s Labor Ministry disputes this report.
Human Rights Watch Findings
Human Rights Watch says many employers threaten or frighten migrant workers. Some businesses confiscate workers’ passports, preventing them from leaving the country.
Jane Buchanan, a representative of Human Rights Watch, stated, “They are extremely vulnerable, both because of the government’s disregard for basic labor protections and the conduct of employers who act with impunity in that kind of environment.”
Expert Opinion on Labor Conditions
Jeff Thinnes, a specialist in business ethics, says many migrant workers are from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. He says they are often treated as slave laborers. He believes young people worldwide will eventually protest this treatment and pressure companies to force Russia and Qatar to change.
“I think once the millennials get a hold of this, once you see more traffic on social media, it’s going to force the other stakeholders — including the corporate sponsors who put their names and their reputations into play when they sponsor activities like those managed by FIFA — you know, to ask themselves, ‘Is this what we should be doing? Is this the best way for us to invest?'”
Call for FIFA and Host Country Responsibility
Jane Buchanan says Qatar and Russia should protect workers. However, she adds that FIFA also has a responsibility to ensure laborers are not suffering. The organization must also work to avoid repeating past mistakes.
“What we saw with the Sochi Winter Olympics was rampant exploitation of migrant workers building the infrastructure and venues, (and) real disregard on the part of the Russian government until the very last minute to inspect and hold employers accountable for those abuses. So I think that sends a pretty strong signal that those kinds of practices are basically tolerated.”
Potential Use of Prisoners in Russia
Russian lawmakers have proposed using prisoners to help develop areas for the 2018 World Cup. Ms. Buchanan says this could place prisoners at extreme risk of forced labor. She notes that the Russian government has already weakened labor protections for workers at the World Cup site.
Reported by Jonathan Evans.