FIFA needs to publish findings on compensation for World Cup workers in Qatar

“Ahead of next week’s Annual General Meeting, FIFA should publish a mandated review of the organization’s responsibility to redress human rights violations related to the 2022 World Cup and respond proactively and promptly to its recommendations. FIFA received the findings of the investigation several months ago but has yet to disclose or act on the findings,” said Steve Cockburn, director of labor rights and sport at Amnesty International. .

This delay will only prolong the suffering of families who have lost loved ones and workers who have been abused while holding FIFA’s flagship event.

Steve Cockburn, head of worker rights and sport at Amnesty International, said:

“This delay will only prolong the suffering of families who have lost loved ones and workers who have been abused while hosting FIFA’s flagship event. FIFA cannot erase this pain, but it will ensure justice is delivered. “We can develop a clear plan and devote some of our vast resources to redressing the damage that FIFA has caused.”

“While the contents of the report may be difficult for FIFA to read, there is overwhelming public support for FIFA’s actions and there is no excuse for further stagnation. A commitment to redress is an important step towards finally fulfilling FIFA’s human rights responsibilities and could change the lives of workers and their families.”

Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers working to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar suffered horribly. Extreme heat and dangerous working conditions also claimed the lives of many workers, and Qatari authorities failed to investigate the deaths of thousands of workers across the country in the decade leading up to the Games.

Other workers paid exorbitant recruitment fees to get jobs, only to be later defrauded of the money they were promised and endure terrible working conditions and other abuses, including forced labor. This situation has left many people financially and emotionally devastated and unable to rebuild their lives.

By awarding the tournament to Qatar in 2010 without first ensuring that sufficient safeguards were in place to protect human rights, FIFA was complicit in abuses that have gone unremedied for more than a decade. That means you did it. FIFA has revised its constitution and guidelines in recent years to better recognize its human rights obligations, but serious questions remain about the association’s commitment to upholding them.

FIFA is currently considering granting hosting rights for the 2030 and 2034 Men’s World Cup events. In 2030, only a joint bid was submitted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and in 2034, Saudi Arabia submitted a sole bid.

“FIFA cannot move on to another tournament with the bitterness left behind, especially when the opportunity to finally put things right is available. It is past time to fully address the issue and give credit to the officials who ultimately made the tournament possible,” said Steve Cockburn.

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