DOHA (Web Desk) – Rights group Amnesty International has accused Qatar of using forced labour at a flagship World Cup 2022 stadium.
Amnesty says workers at Khalifa International Stadium are forced to live in squalid accommodation, pay huge recruitment fees and have had wages withheld and passports confiscated.
It also accuses Fifa of “failing almost completely” to stop the tournament being “built on human rights abuses”.
Qatar said it was “concerned” by the allegations and would investigate.
The government said the welfare of migrant workers was a “top priority” and insisted it was committed to systematic reform of Qatar’s labour laws.
Fifa, the governing body of world football, said measures had been taken that had already improved the situation for migrant workers.
Last year the country pledged to makes changes to its “kafala” sponsorship system, under which migrant workers cannot change jobs or leave the country without their employer’s permission.
But Amnesty warned the proposed reforms would make little difference and said some of the workers were enduring a “living nightmare”.
“All workers want are their rights: to be paid on time, leave the country if need be and be treated with dignity and respect,” said general secretary Salil Shetty.
