Abuses against migrant workers in Qatar persist despite the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, denounces Amnesty International in a recent report. Despite promises of reforms and the introduction of new legislation, Qatar has failed to protect the rights of migrant workers on its territory.
Since before the start of the competition, Qatar has been criticized for its treatment of migrant workers, particularly regarding their working conditions, pay and basic rights. Despite the commitments made by the country and the assistance of the International Labor Organization (ILO), little concrete progress has been made to improve the situation.
Amnesty International highlights that Qatar has not sufficiently implemented or strengthened promised reforms, putting potential benefits for workers at risk. The organization calls on the Qatari government and the International Football Federation (FIFA) to take responsibility and put in place reparation measures for workers who suffered.
According to Amnesty, the minimum wage in Qatar has remained the same despite the increase in the cost of living, and many gaps remain in terms of non-payment of wages and mobility of workers between different jobs. Additionally, the organization denounces employer retaliation against workers seeking to change jobs, such as canceling their residency visas or filing false charges.
Qatar, for its part, claims to have accelerated social reforms thanks to the organization of the Football World Cup. The Qatari government considers that the reforms put in place serve as an example for other countries and that they continue to be fully implemented.
These abuses against migrant workers in Qatar also raise questions about the allocation of sporting events and the importance of human rights in these choices. Amnesty International stresses that sports bodies must take human rights into account when awarding such events.
It is essential that we continue to highlight these abuses and put pressure on Qatar and other countries that will host major sporting events to respect the rights of all migrant workers. Protecting the fundamental rights of workers is a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly, whatever the sporting or economic issue.