Workers’ rights were touted to be part of the Qatar World Cup’s legacy. One year on, what has changed?
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…Khan had travelled from Pakistan to Qatar and had found a prestigious job as a security guard at the tournament. “I was happy to join a big organisation like Fifa,” says Khan. But it did not last. “Once we started work … all my hopes turned to mud.”…
…one year on, migrant workers in Qatar say that life is no better for those left behind…
The Qatari authorities and Fifa have claimed otherwise, with the Fifa president Gianni Infantino describing the event as “the best World Cup ever”.
A spokesperson for the Qatar government said the event “accelerated labour reforms in Qatar, creating a significant and lasting tournament legacy”.
Wage theft (the non-payment of wages or benefits) continues to be “rampant” while solutions are “ineffective and inadequate” says Migrant-rights.org, which advocates for workers’ rights in the Gulf….
In August, despite having no legal representation, the teenagers won their cases and Colley was awarded 21,000 rials (£4,640) to cover his unpaid wages and the cost of his flight home…
Fifa did not respond to a request for comment…