Another blow to the image of the 2022 World Cup. Qatar World Cup organizers admit that workers were exploited while working on construction on the stadiums that will host the tournament in the Gulf state starting this coming November for about a month.
The recognition of the omissions came after an investigation by Amnesty International, which said people working in construction were forced to work under conditions defined as "forced labor" by exceeding the maximum working week of 60 hours and non-leave for months or even years.
"Three companies were found not to meet the requirements in a number of areas," World Cup organizers in Qatar said in a statement.
"These violations were completely unacceptable and led to the enforcement of a variety of measures, including placing construction contractors on a watch list or blacklist to prevent them from working on future projects - including the World Cup in the future."
The statement added: "Many of the security guards we spoke to knew that their employers were breaking the law but felt helpless to challenge them," said Stephen Cockburn of Amnesty International.
"Physically and emotionally exhausted, employees continued to report for duty under the threat of fines - or worse, termination of a contract or deportation."
Qatar World Cup workers forced into working three years without a day off, says Amnesty International, reports @Tom_Morgs https://t.co/rRALA843E2
- Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) April 6, 2022
The World Cup draw took place in Doha last week and the organization has criticized FIFA. "The organization must focus on action to prevent abuse of the inherently dangerous private sector," Cockburn said. "Better its reforms and enforce its laws."
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