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qatar world cup 2022 stadium

The designs for the Stadia of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar look amazing, yet at what cost to the migrant workers who are building them?

The UK’s Guardian newspaper has reported an investigation that has found a number of practices that could throw the upcoming event into disrepute. The investigation includes claims of the deaths of at least 44 workers between 4th June and 8th August due to workplace accidents and heart related health issues, access to free drinking water being denied to workers on some occasions, evidence of forced labour on a major World Cup infrastructure project and the claims of Nepali citizens not being paid for months of work and having their passports confiscated to limit movement within the country and in effect reducing them to the status of illegal aliens.

Already, around 30 Nepalese sought refuge at their embassy in Doha to escape the brutal conditions of their employment.

In response to the report, World Cup organisers have said: “The health, safety, well-being and dignity of every worker that contributes to staging the 2022 Fifa World Cup is of the utmost importance to our committee and we are committed to ensuring that the event serves as a catalyst toward creating sustainable improvements to the lives of all workers in Qatar.”

Qatari officials have said that they are adamant that working conditions will be suitable for those involved in construction of World Cup facilities, adding “We firmly believe that all workers engaged on our projects, and those of the other infrastructure developers in Qatar, have a right to be treated in a manner that ensures at all times their wellbeing, safety, security, and dignity.

The governing body, FIFA, has not yet made any statement over the claims.

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