Most World Cup fans back compensation for Qatar migrant workers: poll
NICOSIA, Sept 15, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - A majority of World Cup fans support FIFA
compensating migrant workers for rights abuses during preparations for the
2022 tournament in Qatar, a poll commissioned by Amnesty International and
released on Thursday showed.
Qatar has repeatedly faced criticism over conditions for migrant workers, but
insists it has made major improvements in recent years.
The YouGov poll surveyed more than 17,000 adults from 15 countries -- mostly
in Europe, but also the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Morocco and Kenya,
Amnesty said in a statement.
Seventy-three percent of respondents said they "strongly support" or "tend to
support" football's governing body using some of its 2022 World Cup revenues
to compensate migrant workers, according to the figures.
Out of those who said they were likely to watch at least one game, 84 percent
backed the proposal.
"There is still time for FIFA to do the right thing," Amnesty's Steve
Cockburn said in a statement calling on it "to set up a remediation
programme... before the tournament kicks off" on November 20.
"Supporters don't want a World Cup that's indelibly tainted by human rights
abuses," Cockburn added.
In response, FIFA said it took note of the poll but cautioned that
"respondents may not be fully aware of the measures implemented in recent
years by FIFA and its partners in Qatar to protect workers involved in the
delivery of the FIFA World Cup".
"Workers have been compensated in various forms where companies failed to
uphold the workers' welfare standards," it said in a statement.
"FIFA will continue its efforts to enable remediation for workers who may
have been adversely impacted in relation to FIFA World Cup-related work."
Qatar has faced accusations of under-reporting deaths and injuries among
migrant workers and of not doing enough to alleviate harsh conditions. Unpaid
wages have also been frequently raised.
The Qatari government has highlighted major reforms it has introduced,
including a minimum wage, dismantling a scheme that gave employers stringent
rights over labourers, and imposing stricter rules on working in the summer
heat.
In an interview with French magazine Le Point, Qatar's ruler Sheikh Tamim bin
Hamad Al-Thani said he was proud of the measures the emirate had taken to
safeguard workers' welfare.
"We understood that we had a problem with work on construction sites and we
took strong measures in record time," the emir said in only his third
interview since he took the throne in 2013.
"We have changed the law and we are punishing anybody who abuses an employee.
We have opened our doors to non-governmental organisations and we are
cooperating with them. We are proud of it."
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