Rights teams urge FIFA to earmark $440mln for Qatar migrant staff

Amnesty International and different rights teams have referred to as on FIFA to put aside $440 million to compensate migrant staff in Qatar for “human rights abuses” throughout preparations for the 2022 World Cup.

In a letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the teams mentioned world soccer’s governing physique also needs to work with the host nation to guard the rights of migrant staff sooner or later.

“To remedy the litany of abuses committed since 2010, when FIFA awarded hosting rights to Qatar without requiring any improvement in labour protections, the organisations called on FIFA to at least match the $440m it hands out in prize money at the World Cup,” Amnesty mentioned in an announcement.

A 48-page report by Amnesty, Reality Check 2021, mentioned that practices comparable to withholding salaries and charging staff to alter jobs have been rife.

The Qatar authorities, which has denied the accusations, mentioned it had launched numerous reforms within the final 5 years, together with a brand new nationwide minimal wage and the removing of exit permits.

“The progress made by Qatar is irrefutable. The Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund, established by the government to provide payments owed to workers, has disbursed 110 million pounds ($136.37 million) in the past two years alone,” the labour ministry mentioned in an announcement to Reuters.

“The new report undermines much of the goodwill that has been generated. Engagement will always yield better results than condemnation, especially when they are unreasonably demanded.”

In response to the letter, FIFA mentioned it was assessing Amnesty’s proposition and implementing an “unprecedented due diligence process in relation to the protection of workers involved”.

FIFA added that it was working with the organising committee and had already compensated numerous staff.

“As part of the Supreme Committee’s effort to ensure repayment of recruitment fees, workers have received payments of a total $22.6 million as of December 2021, with an additional $5.7 million committed by contractors,” it mentioned.

The World Cup will run from Nov. 21 to Dec 18.