abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Press Release

18 Nov 2021

New portal to highlight the human rights impacts of the Qatar World Cup 2022

WHAT:

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has launched its Qatar World Cup Parallel Portal, shining a light on the reality for workers behind the flashy football news and glossy promotional façade in official materials.

The Parallel Portal draws together data and detail on human rights issues connected with World Cup-related companies and projects. It is a live resource and will be updated regularly in the run-up to kick off on 21 November 2022.

It will monitor labour and human rights abuses related to contractors, sponsors and national football associations, alongside stadiums, hotels and associated infrastructure, providing analysis and insight.

Our goal is for the Parallel Portal contribute to efforts to effectively reform the labour rights situation in Qatar - as the true legacy of World Cup.

WHO:

Qatar’s migrant workers are at the heart of this story, with recruitment from South, South-East Asia and East Africa already ramping up ahead of the World Cup. Labour reforms in Qatar have not been adequately or consistently implemented, with little change taking place on the ground for workers. Non-payment of wages, inability to change jobs and extortionate recruitment fees remain prevalent.

WHY:

Qatar has one of the worst labour rights records in the world and is one of the least transparent for mapping business. FIFA and its sponsors must uphold labour rights standards in the countries it works with – especially when those states have failed to do so themselves – and should be holding Qatar to a higher standard than it currently is. With one year to go until the tournament, there is still time to turn things around for Qatar’s migrant workforce before kickoff in November 2022.

WHEN: 

The Qatar World Cup Parallel Portal launched on 16 November 2021, marking nearly one year to go until the FIFA World Cup 2022 kicks off in Qatar. Over the next 12 months information will be regularly uploaded; get in touch to access a private preview of the portal ahead of its launch.

DATA:

Currently available information:

  • How Qatar's luxury hotels are failing to protect migrant workers from exploitation and abuse ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
  • The latest aggregate data on allegations of labour abuse against companies operating in Qatar and projects linked to the World Cup 2022 (stadiums, infrastructure projects, transport developments, hotels, leisure facilities, recruiters).
  • Profile pages for football associations and FIFA sponsors, featuring information on their human rights policies, position statements and actions related to the World Cup 2022.

The World Cup Portal will be regularly updated with new information, including:

  • The latest research findings and recommendations from civil society partners and other stakeholders on World Cup 2022 associated companies.
  • Data on allegations of abuse against apparel companies producing teams’ uniforms (linked to our Apparel Dashboards).
  • Updated profile pages for national team sponsors, official providers and licensees of the World Cup, and more as these are announced, featuring information on their human rights policies, position statements and actions related to the World Cup 2022.
  • Perspectives and testimony from migrant workers and support organisations in sending countries on the experiences of returned workers.