“Migrant workers are disproportionately at risk of COVID-19”, 21 March 2020

Migrant workers are disproportionately at risk of COVID-19, because of worse access to health care and poor working conditions warns…the Geneva Council for Rights and Liberties (the Geneva Council): “Tokyo 2020 has already faced substantial criticism over its treatment of migrant workers”…[and The Geneva Council]…urge[s]…the [UAE] to take into account the health and safety of the thousands of persons working on the preparation of the facilities for the Expo 2020…

[The Geneva Council]…calls for effective monitoring and screening of workers moving between countries or between jobs [which] “…is likely to mitigate against global efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus”. [T]he Tokyo Olympics [has since] been postponed for 12 months [and]…Expo 2020 Dubai [also] issued…a statement…on the impact of the Coronavirus on their preparations without including any indication of measures taken to protect workers or stop construction…

The Geneva Council reiterates that…the “United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” obliges the UAE to take immediate measures regarding worker protection. Despite some positive reforms [in] the UAE…, foreign workers still face [infringements]…on their…safety and [rights]…